Ezekwesili to senate: Restore Natasha Akpoti’s full privileges, committee roles

Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, has urged the senate to restore the full rights and privileges of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.

In a statement posted on X, Ezekwesili described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement as “a chance for the senate to correct its mistake and uphold fairness”.

She congratulated the senator on her return to the red chamber, saying her victory symbolises “the fortitude and resilience necessary to fight injustice perpetrated against citizens by those who abuse public power”.

“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—end all forms of harassment or targeting against her,” Ezekwesili wrote.

The former minister said the suspension was viewed by “all reasonable Nigerians as an act of injustice” that sent a wrong message about silencing a woman who speaks boldly and stands for her beliefs.

She urged the senate to stop all hostilities and restore Akpoti-Uduaghan’s committee roles, office, staff, and full participation in plenary.

“The senate must prove it can handle all matters involving individual members with maturity and not weaponise public power to unjustly punish the aggrieved,” Ezekwesili stated.

She emphasised that the matter goes beyond Akpoti-Uduaghan, noting that “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 said the 10th senate will be judged by how it handles the allegations involving its leadership.

“Nigerians are watching, and history will remember whether the senate chose vindictiveness or justice,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her seat in the senate on Tuesday after her six-month suspension.

The senate had earlier unsealed her office to pave the way for her return, days after the national assembly insisted that she remain suspended, citing ongoing litigation.

Her resumption comes amid longstanding controversy over her allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

During her suspension, imposed on March 6, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not allowed access to her office, with her security detail and allowances withdrawn.