Senate vs Natasha: Labour Party demands Kogi Senator’s immediate reinstatement

By John Alechenu, Abuja

The Labour Party (LP) has demanded the contiguous reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan aft the expiration of her six-month suspension, citing antiauthoritarian principles and her constituents’ rights.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Tony Akeni, said this successful a connection successful Abuja connected Saturday.

According to him, the enactment was made alert of the presumption of an American diplomat connected the face-off betwixt the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He noted that the US diplomat had highlighted a missive by a Gambian lawmaker Fatoumatta Njai, who condemned the Nigerian Senate’s defiance of a tribunal bid reinstating Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He said, “In the presumption of the American diplomat, the ‘abuse of the regularisation of instrumentality by the Nigerian legislature against a subsisting tribunal judgement which, since July 4, 2025, nullified the suspension of Sen. Natasha and implicitly ordered her unhindered instrumentality to the senate, is shameful for your country,” referring to Nigeria.

For background, the LP spokesperson explained that Gambia is simply a tiny West African state of astir 2.79 cardinal citizens. The country’s 6th Parliament of 53 elected members and 5 lawmakers appointed by their president, according to their constitution, were inaugurated successful 2022.

He added, “The Gambian lawmaker, Hon. Fattoumatta Njai of the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee, who is besides a subordinate of the Pan-Africa Parliament, did not conscionable speak. She wrote her thoughts successful occurrence for the satellite and posterity to carnivore record.

“Condemning the imperious powerfulness play by the Nigeria Senate President and his National Assembly secretariat, Hon. Njai of The Gambia urged the Nigeria Senate to instantly reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“In her missive dated September 9, 2025 which the US diplomat shared, Hon. Fattoumatta Njai pointed retired that Sen. Natasha’s prolonged suspension by the Akpabio legislature disobeys the tribunal judgement of July 4, 2025, which unequivocally overturned her six-month suspension.

“Stating that the Nigerian senate’s disobedience of a tribunal ruling undermines West Africa’s antiauthoritarian civilization, the Gambian lawmaker condemned the Nigeria Senate’s refusal to admit Akpoti-Uduaghan backmost to the legislature nether immoderate guise.

“In ringing words Hon. Njai wrote: ‘The Senate (of Nigeria) should obey the courts. In law, 1 indispensable comply first, past challenge,” stating that the continued debarment of Natasha from the legislature was a “total affront to the regularisation of instrumentality and a menace to dissenting voices.

“Warning that silencing Akpoti-Uduaghan sends a atrocious awesome crossed West Africa, she further wrote: ‘Leadership is not astir silencing voices, particularly those who talk information with courageousness and integrity. Natasha represents the hopes of millions of women and youths crossed Nigeria and beyond.’

“Justice delayed is justness denied… Nigeria needs each its voices astatine the table. Senator Natasha indispensable resume her duties without further delay.”

He noted that ineligible luminaries including erstwhile Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, had successful abstracted interventions criticised the Senate’s continued disobedience to tribunal orders successful the matter.

Akeni further said, “As Labour Party, we articulation our dependable to the earnest proposal of the Gambian Parliamentarian and the 2 eminent ineligible luminaries of Nigeria whose salient insights we share.

“Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Justice Minister Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, a connection is capable for the wise.”

The station Senate vs Natasha: Labour Party demands Kogi Senator’s contiguous reinstatement appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.