By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Ebira People’s Association (EPA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what it described as an unlawful and politically motivated indefinite suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the EPA Secretariat in Okene, the association condemned the action of the Senate leadership, insisting that it had denied the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District their constitutional right to representation.
EPA maintained that the initial six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduagha was not in good faith, and that the indefinite extension, as implied in a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly, had further exposed the “true motive” behind the decision.
EPA described Senator Natasha as the voice of the Kogi Central Senatorial District (which is Ebira people) in the 10th Senate adding that the Senate’s decision to prolong her suspension is a calculated ploy to silence the voice of Kogi Central in the National Assembly, thereby disenfranchising its people.
The council noted that the action contravenes the Senate’s own resolution of March 6, 2025, and had no legal or parliamentary basis.
The NEC however expressed appreciation to prominent Nigerian women, including Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Aisha Yesufu, Betty Akeredolu, Mrs. Funmi Falana (SAN), and Barr. Kemi Olunloyo, for standing up against what they described as the oppression of women in politics.
The association also commended the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Gambian lawmaker Hon. Fatoumatta Njai, as well as legal luminaries such as Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Jibrin Sam Okutepa (SAN), and Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), for defending justice and democratic representation.
The council stressed that Kogi Central had pressing legislative matters awaiting the senator’s presentation in the 10th Senate, but these had been stalled by her prolonged suspension.
EPA, therefore, appealed to President Tinubu to uphold the sanctity of democratic representation by ensuring Senator Akpoti-Uduagha’s immediate reinstatement.
In the communique signed by Dr. Godwin Oyibo,
President-General of the association and a copy available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Thursday,EPA called for restoration of sanity in the Senate and allow fairness to prevail for history to be kind to the present administration in the country.
