Senate asked to appeal judgment on Natasha Akpoti’s reinstatement

A group of over 1,000 women-focused civil society organisations have urged the Nigerian Senate to immediately file an appeal against the Federal High Court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Coalition of Concerned Women for Legislative Integrity, CCWLI, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, described Friday’s judgment as “deeply troubling” and “a potential threat to the sanctity of parliamentary discipline and democratic integrity.”

The coalition’s national president, Barr Nana Amina Abdullahi, called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the leadership of the Red Chamber to defend the legislature’s autonomy and “not allow populist sentiment or external pressure to override the duty of enforcing accountability within the chamber.”

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate was excessive and without legal foundation. She ordered the Kogi Central senator’s immediate return, saying the Senate had no power to impose such an extended suspension that would effectively silence a constituency.

But the women’s group warned that the judgement, if left unchallenged, could “open the floodgates of indiscipline, misinformation, and abuse of legislative privilege” in Nigeria’s parliament.

The group noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed her total disregard for Senate rules and the leadership of the Red Chamber.

“We are women. We are mothers. But we are not blind to recklessness paraded as courage. A woman who gets elected into the hallowed chamber must carry that privilege with honour, not use it to wage vendettas or cast aspersions on her state without due diligence,” Abdullahi said.

The coalition claimed that the Senate acted within its disciplinary powers and described the six-month suspension as “a proportionate response to the gravity of Natasha’s conduct.”

The group also rejected Justice Nyako’s assertion that the suspension infringed on the rights of Kogi Central constituents.

“The people of Kogi Central were not suspended; their representative was. And they deserve better than a lawmaker whose interventions often descend into provocation rather than policy,” the statement read.

Abdullahi accused some international organisations and local activists of “weaponising feminism” to shield bad behaviour and undermine institutional standards.

“It is not feminism to excuse indiscipline. It is not women’s empowerment to encourage the abuse of parliamentary immunity. If a male senator had made such allegations without evidence, the punishment would have stood without debate. This selective outrage is hypocritical and dangerous,” she said.

The coalition acknowledged the court’s role in adjudicating disputes but insisted that judicial restraint was needed in matters relating to internal legislative discipline.

They urged the Senate to appeal the judgment all the way to the Supreme Court, saying the long-term health of Nigeria’s democracy depends on clarity over the limits of judicial intervention in legislative processes.

“Any attempt to back down now would amount to surrendering the Senate’s constitutional authority to discipline its members. We are calling on the Senate to file a prompt appeal, not just in defence of the Natasha case, but in defence of its institutional dignity.”

The group further criticised what it described as “a pattern of political exhibitionism” by Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of turning every disciplinary issue into a gendered media spectacle.

“Natasha’s entire political career has been built on confrontation and provocation. It may earn applause on social media, but governance is not performance art,” Abdullahi said.

Reacting to the N5 million fine imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan by the court for violating its prior gag order, the coalition said it was a “mild but symbolic rebuke” and urged the senator to show more restraint in her public conduct.

“We hope she pays that fine quietly and uses the time to reflect. Democracy is not a theatre for constant drama,” the group said.

The coalition said it will be writing formally to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and copying all presiding officers to demand a swift move toward filing an appeal.

“Our position is firm: until a higher court says otherwise, the Senate must stand by its decision. That judgment should not be the last word,” Abdullahi declared.

Senate asked to appeal judgment on Natasha Akpoti’s reinstatement