Activist and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has vehemently condemned the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, calling it an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
In a statement on Thursday, Adeyanju expressed his disapproval of the Senate’s decision, arguing that it infringes on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and undermines transparency in governance.
“I am deeply saddened by the unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. This action not only violates her rights but also undermines the very principles of democracy and transparency that our nation claims to uphold,” he said.
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Adeyanju also criticized the Senate’s handling of the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, pointing out that due process was not followed in addressing the accusations.
He emphasized that Akpabio should be allowed to respond to the claims, just as Akpoti-Uduaghan deserves a fair hearing.
“It is essential that Akpabio be given a chance to defend himself and cross-examine Senator Natasha. Ignoring these serious allegations only encourages a culture of silence,” he added.
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He further questioned the impartiality of the Senate’s Ethics Committee, pointing out that its chairman had previously defended Akpabio, creating a clear conflict of interest.
“This is a direct conflict of interest; Akpabio cannot serve as the judge in his own case. To ensure fairness and justice, he must step down and allow the Ethics Committee to conduct a fair investigation,” Adeyanju argued.
Adeyanju also criticized the lack of due process in the investigation, comparing it to electoral fraud, where results are announced before the process is completed.
He urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge her suspension in court, emphasizing that women who seek change often face similar challenges in political and institutional settings. He also warned that her six-month suspension would deprive the people of Kogi Central of proper representation.
“The Senate has no right to suspend her; the same democratic process that brought many of its members to power is the same process through which Natasha was elected,” he asserted.
Adeyanju called on the Senate leadership to respect democratic values and avoid using their power to suppress opposition voices.
As a native of Kogi State, Adeyanju reaffirmed his commitment to defending human rights and holding the government accountable.
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