The former Minister of Education and Outstanding Activist, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has asked the Nigerian Senate to reverse the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and investigates the accusations of sexual harassment against the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
In a strongly written statement published in X (previously Twitter) on Monday to its 1.4 million followers, Ezekwesili described the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as a violation of democratic principles and a violation of their rights as a duly chosen senator.
She urged the Senate to take immediate corrective measures and ensure that justice is served.
Ezekwesili demanded that Akpabio retire while the vice president of Senate Barau Jibrin presides over an urgent Senate session to rescind the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The president of the Senate must be set aside, and the vice president of the Senate must immediately convene a session to reverse the unconstitutional and illegal suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” Ezekwesili said.
“You must resume your duties as a duly chosen senator that represents its central constituency of Kogi and receive the fair audience due to it within the Senate processes.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended last week for alleged violations of the Senate rules, but insists that his suspension is a retaliation for increasing sexual harassment statements against Akpabio.
Ezekwesili also urged the Senate to initiate an independent investigation into the accusations against Akpabio. She suggested that independent corrupt practices and other related crimes commissions (ICPC) supervise the investigation, given that sexual harassment falls under the corrupt practices that are empowered to investigate.
“The Senate must request an independent investigation conducted by the ICPC, according to the ICPC law, which designates sexual harassment as one of the corrupt practices that can investigate and prosecute,” he said.
In addition, he demanded the reconstitution of the Senate Ethics and privileges under a new president, with the mandate of holding a public hearing on the request of Akpoti-Uphuaghan against Akpabio. The committee, he said, should receive testimony and evidence of both senators before presenting their findings to the Senate plenary for debate and appropriate derivation to the Attorney General.
Beyond the immediate case, Ezekwesili requested broader reforms to address gender -based violence and discrimination in the legislative framework of Nigeria.
He urged the Senate and the House of Representatives to work with the women's rights groups, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and Nigeria's police to review the laws and policies that prevent sexual and gender violence (SGBV).
“The National Assembly must be associated with women's groups in Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders to identify barriers and gaps, develop reforms and implement specific action plans in a fast -track timeline,” he said.
He also demanded that the Senate revive and reconsider the five bills of gender that were rejected by the ninth National Assembly, arguing that the current controversy presents an opportunity for legislative transformation.
The call of Ezekwesili has caused reactions of his followers, some of whom promised to mobilize the pressure on the Senate to act.
Activists argue that the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan reflects a broader pattern of systemic silencing of women in Nigerian politics.
Concluding, Ezekwesili praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for his courage and resistance.
“We are incredibly inspired by the courage and strength of the irrepressible senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. We stop! We walk! “She declared.
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