The Labour Party (LP) has called on the Nigerian Senate to review the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The party is advocating for fairness and due process, emphasizing that the decision could have broader implications for democratic principles in the legislature.
On March 6, 2025, the Senate imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing misconduct and violations of the Senate’s Standing Rules.
The disciplinary action came after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Following a review by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, the allegations were dismissed as unsubstantiated, leading to the decision to suspend her.
In a telephone interview on Thursday, Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the Senate’s decision, calling it disheartening, especially as it came on the eve of International Women’s Day.
The Labour Party has expressed concern over what it sees as a disproportionate punishment. The party insists that suspending a senator for raising serious allegations could discourage other lawmakers from speaking out against misconduct in the future.
“What the Senate has done is illegal and unlikely to stand. They suspended the senator without granting her fair hearing and disregarded a court ruling that barred them from taking such action.”
Ifoh further stressed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension effectively deprives the people of Kogi Central of their constitutional right to representation, noting that she was elected to serve the interests of her constituents, not just her own.
He called on the Senate to uphold democratic principles and ensure that due process is followed in handling the matter.
