Gambian Lawmaker Demands Recall Of Senator Natasha

A Gambian lawmaker, Fatoumatta Njai, has called for contiguous callback of suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate pursuing her suspension since February 2025.

Njai, who chairs the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee of the Gambian parliament, made the entreaty successful a missive dated September 9, 2025, and addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Her involution came aft the Nigerian Senate barred Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming connected September 4, contempt the senator’s missive to the Clerk of the National Assembly stating that her six-month suspension had elapsed.

Njai described the continued suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan arsenic unlawful and excessive, saying it contravenes the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and undermines judicial authority.

“Today, it is the distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, time it could beryllium me,” Njai wrote.

“I judge that aft the six months of unlawful suspension, she indispensable beryllium reinstated with contiguous effect.”

She recalled that connected July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ruled that suspending a lawmaker for six months was excessive.

Njai accused the Senate of flouting this judgement by preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming legislative duties since July 22.

“In full disregard of its ain lasting orders, the Senate has present extended the unlawful suspension beyond six months,” Njai said.

“This is simply a full affront to the regularisation of instrumentality and disregard for the tribunal ruling. The Senate should cognize that enactment is not astir silencing voices, particularly those who situation to talk information with courageousness and integrity.”

She argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan represents not lone her constituents successful Kogi Central but besides women and young radical crossed Nigeria who look up to her for justice, transparency, and adjacent representation.

“As the largest state successful ECOWAS, Nigeria indispensable acceptable a bully illustration astatine the determination level,” Njai stressed.

“I firmly telephone connected the Senate for contiguous callback of the legislator arsenic I judge that justness delayed is justness denied. Senator Natasha indispensable beryllium allowed to resume her duties instantly without immoderate further delay.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended connected February 27, 2025, pursuing a heated speech with Senate President Akpabio implicit a alteration successful seating arrangements.

The precocious enclosure successful crook accused the lawmaker of “gross misconduct” and has since resisted her instrumentality to the Red Chamber.