March 7, 2025 (Naija247news) – Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticized the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate, calling it a “vicious abuse of power.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ezekwesili, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, condemned the Senate for dismissing the sexual harassment allegations Akpoti-Uduaghan leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that instead of investigating the claims, the chamber chose the “ignoble path” of suppressing the female senator.
“When men, because of little power fleetingly acquired, start speaking like they are God, we all must remember what history reveals of their kind,” Ezekwesili wrote. “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, you have inspired a generation. You have inspired all credible citizens. You will never walk alone.”
Suspension Sparks Outrage Ahead of International Women’s Day
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, coming just days before International Women’s Day on March 8, has triggered widespread debate on gender representation and power dynamics in Nigeria’s legislature.
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when the Kogi Central senator rejected her assigned seat in the red chamber and openly challenged Akpabio’s authority. Following this dispute, she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against him.
The Senate Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions Committee dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, stating that she had personally signed it instead of having it endorsed by another individual. The committee also ruled that the matter was already in court, making it sub judice and outside the Senate’s jurisdiction.
Despite these rulings, Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted the petition on Thursday, maintaining her allegations against Akpabio.
Akpabio Denies Allegations Amid Past Controversies
Senate President Akpabio has denied the sexual harassment claims. This is not the first public confrontation between the two lawmakers. In July 2024, Akpabio issued an apology to Akpoti-Uduaghan following backlash over a controversial nightclub remark directed at her.
With the suspension in effect, critics argue that the Senate’s decision undermines due process and silences opposition voices, raising concerns about the state of accountability and gender equity in Nigerian politics.
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