Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate’s six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a “vicious abuse of power.”
In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Ezekwesili condemned the Senate for sidestepping the serious sexual harassment allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Instead of addressing the claims, the Senate opted to punish the Kogi Central representative, accusing the chamber of desecrating public institutions and misusing its authority.
Ezekwesili’s words were sharp: “When men with fleeting power speak as though they are gods, we must recall history’s lessons on their kind.” She also showed support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying, “You have inspired a generation of credible citizens. You will never walk alone.”
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan comes just days before International Women’s Day (March 8), fueling outrage and drawing attention to the broader issue of gender equality in Nigerian politics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s clash with the Senate began on February 20, 2025, when she rejected an assigned seat and accused Akpabio of harassment.
In response, she filed a defamation suit and raised a N100 billion claim against the Senate President, leading to the referral of her case to the Senate disciplinary committee.
Despite this, the committee dismissed her sexual harassment claims as “dead on arrival,” citing procedural issues and legal constraints. It further argued that the allegations were already under court review, making them outside the Senate’s jurisdiction. Akpoti-Uduaghan re-submitted the petition, intensifying the ongoing tension.
Akpabio, who has denied the harassment allegations, had previously issued an apology in July 2024 after making a controversial remark about Akpoti-Uduaghan. The situation remains unresolved, leaving many questioning the integrity of the Senate’s actions.
