Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly condemned the Nigerian Senate for what she describes as a brazen abuse of power in handling the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a fiery statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Ezekwesili criticized the Senate for failing to uphold justice by investigating the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Instead, she accused the upper legislative chamber of resorting to a “vicious abuse of power” by suspending the whistleblower.
“When men, because of little power fleetingly acquired, start speaking like they are God, we all must remember what history reveals of their kind,” she wrote, taking a direct swipe at the Senate’s leadership.
Ezekwesili also expressed solidarity with Akpoti-Uduaghan, hailing her courage in speaking out.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, you have inspired a generation. You have inspired all credible citizens. You will never walk alone,” she declared, urging Nigerians to stand by the embattled senator.
She reiterated the call for a transparent investigation into the allegations against Akpabio, insisting that the Senate’s decision to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan rather than address the matter undermines public trust in the institution.
“Investigate the accusation of sexual harassment — that is all that sensible Nigerians have collectively asked the @NGRSenate to do. But no, they have decided to choose the ignoble path of vicious abuse of power and desecration of our public institution,” she added.
The controversy follows the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025.
The senator was sanctioned after refusing to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions on Wednesday. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, submitted a report signed by all 14 members, recommending that Akpoti-Uduaghan be barred from the National Assembly and prohibited from identifying herself as a senator during the suspension period.
The Senate’s actions have sparked nationwide debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether the institution is more interested in protecting its own than upholding justice.
As the storm rages, the call for accountability continues to grow, with Ezekwesili and other voices demanding that the Senate rise above partisan interests and do the right thing—investigate the allegations against Akpabio.
PIONEER NEWS 