Fatoumatta Njai, a Gambian lawmaker, has asked the Nigerian senate to reinstate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, notified the clerk to the national assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, the date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.
On Tuesday, the national assembly prevented Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming legislative duties, insisting that her suspension is still a subject of litigation.
Njai, who chairs the gender and children’s welfare committee of the Gambian parliament, made the demand in a letter dated September 9, 2025, and addressed to Godswill Akpabio, senate president.
She said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which has lasted six months, was excessive and contrary to the 1999 constitution.
“Today it is the distinguished senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, tomorrow it could be me,” Njai wrote.
“I believe that after the six months of unlawful suspension, she must be reinstated with immediate effect.”
On July 4, 2025, Binta Nyako, a federal high court judge, ruled that suspending a lawmaker for six months is excessive.
Njai accused the senate of disregarding the judgment by preventing the senator from resuming on July 22, 2025.
“In total disregard of its own standing orders, the senate has now extended the unlawful suspension beyond six months,” she said.
“This is a total affront to the rule of law and disregard for the court ruling. The senate should know that leadership is not about silencing voices, especially those who dare to speak truth with courage and integrity.”
The Gambian lawmaker said Akpoti-Uduaghan represents not just her constituents, but also women and youth who believe in justice, transparency, and equal representation.
“As the largest country in ECOWAS, Nigeria must set a good example at the regional level,” she said.
“I firmly call on the immediate recall of the senator as I believe that justice delayed is justice denied. Senator Natasha must be allowed to resume her duties immediately without any further delay.”
In February, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio had a heated exchange over a change in seating arrangements.
The upper legislative chamber later suspended the senator for “gross misconduct”.
