Former Minister of Education and founder of Human Capital Africa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has publicly called on the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to stop what she describes as acts of harassment and intimidation against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her appeal comes in the wake of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s controversial suspension and subsequent reinstatement.
Ezekwesili made the call through a formal memo addressed to the Senate leadership, which she also shared on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, October 3, 2025.
Suspension was unjust and harmful to democracy, says Ezekwesili
In her memo, Dr. Ezekwesili condemned the earlier suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that the Senate’s action lacked fairness and transparency. She noted that the decision to suspend the senator had drawn widespread criticism and had raised questions about the Senate’s commitment to democratic values.
“As I have maintained from the start of this saga, this is not only about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is about what kind of democracy Nigeria wants to build — one where no one is punished for standing up for the truth, and where women can lead without fear of bias or bullying,” Ezekwesili stated.
She emphasized that leadership should be exercised through restraint, accountability, and fairness—not through intimidation.
Calls for full reinstatement of legislative privileges
Dr. Ezekwesili urged the Senate to restore all rights and privileges due to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. These include access to her legislative office, staff, committee assignments, and the right to speak freely on the Senate floor.
She further warned that continuing any form of punitive action against the senator would not only undermine public trust in the Senate but also show a disregard for the will of the people who elected her.
“To target her further is to disrespect the will of her voters,” she said, stressing that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s role in the legislature should not be undermined by political power plays.
The Senate must address the underlying issues
Beyond reinstating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ezekwesili highlighted the need for the Senate to investigate and address the substantive allegations raised by the lawmaker. Though the specifics of these allegations were not mentioned in Ezekwesili’s memo, she implied that their handling would serve as a benchmark for the Senate’s credibility.
“How the Senate manages the substantive matter of her allegations will determine how citizens judge the 11th Senate — whether it leads by example,” she said.
A test of integrity for the Nigerian Senate
Ezekwesili concluded her statement by challenging the Senate to prove that it stands for justice, equity, and democratic values. She reminded lawmakers that their response to this situation would not go unnoticed by Nigerians or the international community.
“There is a new opportunity for her colleagues to take a stand and insist that injustice shall not be sustained,” she wrote. “Nigerians are watching, and history will remember whether the Senate chose vindictiveness or justice.”
Growing support for Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has drawn support from civil society groups, gender rights advocates, and fellow lawmakers who view her suspension as a political move to silence dissent. Her case has become symbolic of broader issues relating to women’s representation, transparency, and fair treatment in Nigeria’s political institutions.
As pressure mounts on the Senate to revisit its actions, observers say the outcome will serve as a litmus test for how Nigeria’s legislature upholds the rights of its members and balances discipline with democratic principles.
