Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on the Nigerian Senate to end all forms of hostility and silent punishment against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, following her reinstatement after a six-month suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who recently returned to the National Assembly, had been suspended after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a post shared on her X (formerly Twitter) page, Ezekwesili congratulated the Kogi senator on resuming her legislative duties, describing her as a “symbol of fortitude and resilience” for standing against injustice.
“To the Senate and senators, now that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been rightfully allowed to return to the Senate after months of an unfair and punitive suspension, it is time for your leadership and members to do the right thing and end all forms of harassment or targeting against her,” Ezekwesili wrote.
She described the suspension as “an act of injustice that went far beyond fair discipline,” saying it sent a wrong message that the Senate could silence or intimidate a woman for speaking out.
Ezekwesili urged the Senate leadership to fully restore Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges, including her office, staff, committee roles, and right to speak freely in the chamber.
“The Senate must prove it can handle all matters involving its members with maturity and not weaponise public power to unjustly punish the aggrieved,” she said.
“To target her any further is to disrespect the will of her voters.”
The former minister also framed the issue as a broader test of Nigeria’s democratic values, warning that how the Senate handles the situation would reflect its commitment to justice and accountability.
“This is not only about Senator 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 added.
She concluded by urging the Senate to demonstrate fairness, restraint, and transparency in resolving the matter.
“How the Senate handles the substantive matter of her allegation against the Senate President will determine whether our highest lawmaking body leads by example,” she said.
“Nigerians are watching, and history will remember whether the Senate chose vindictiveness or justice.”
