A Gambian legislator, Fatoumatta Njai, has urged the Nigerian Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended since February 2025.
Njai, Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee Chairperson of the Gambian Parliament, made the request in a letter dated September 9, 2025, written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her appeal followed the Senate’s refusal to restore Akpoti-Uduaghan on September 4, despite the senator having issued official notice to the Clerk of the National Assembly that six months had lapsed since she had been suspended.
Calling the extended suspension “unlawful and excessive,” Njai argued that it was against Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and undermined judicial power.
“Today, it is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; tomorrow it may be me. Six months of unlawful suspension is enough; she has to be reinstated immediately,” Njai tweeted.
She recalled that on July 4, 2025, Federal High Court Judge Justice Binta Nyako decided that six months suspension of a legislator was disproportionate. But the Senate has allegedly disobeyed the ruling by blocking Akpoti-Uduaghan from being sworn in since July 22.
“Completely disregarding its own standing orders, the Senate has now proceeded to prolong the illegal suspension for over six months. This is a total disregard of the rule of law and the court’s ruling,” Njai added.
The Gambian legislator further insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan speaks not only for her people in Kogi Central but for Nigerian women and youths who recognize her as a voice of justice and equity representation.
Njai implored Nigeria, the largest democracy in ECOWAS, to lead the way:
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Senator Natasha should be given the chance to return to work without delay.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on February 27, 2025, after a fiery argument with Senate President Akpabio regarding seating. The Senate charged her with “gross misconduct” and has since blocked her return.
