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A coalition of women’s organizations, operating under the banner of the Coalition of Women in Governance, has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central), who was recently suspended for six months.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the group’s spokesperson, Zainab Mohammed, condemned the suspension, describing it as an injustice against Akpoti-Uduaghan and a threat to democracy.
She emphasized that silencing a duly elected senator contradicts the principles of justice and fairness.
According to Mohammed, the decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan disregards both parliamentary ethics and judicial authority, as the court had previously issued an order preventing any disciplinary action against her.
She criticized the Senate for acting in defiance of the court’s directive, arguing that such a move undermines democratic principles.
She also pointed out that the Senate’s rules only allow a maximum suspension of 14 days, yet Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months, which she described as an excessive and unjustifiable punishment.
She warned that targeting a female leader in this manner could discourage women’s participation in politics, sending a negative message to young girls aspiring to serve their country.
Mohammed urged the Senate to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial decisions, stressing that disregarding court orders sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.