Ezekwesili warns Senate, Akpabio against hostility towards Natasha

By Musa Baba Adamu

A former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has congratulated Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on her return to the Senate.
Ezekwesili called on the leadership and members of the National Assembly to end all forms of hostility and punishment against her.
The former Minister made the call in a post on her X handle titled “Memo to the Nigerian Senate and 107 Senators @NGRSenate.”
She described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement as a victory for justice, saying the lawmaker had become “a symbol of fortitude and resilience necessary to fight injustice perpetrated against citizens by those who abuse public power.”
Ezekwesili urged the Senate to restore all the rights and privileges of the Kogi Central senator, including her office, staff, and committee roles, to enable her function fully.
She said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was widely viewed as an act of injustice that sent a wrong message about the Senate’s treatment of outspoken members, particularly women.
“The Senate must stop all hostilities and silent punishments. There must be no more attempts to sideline, frustrate or humiliate her for simply doing her job,” she said.
Ezekwesili further called on the upper chamber to set a better example by handling internal matters with maturity and fairness, and to show respect for the people’s mandate.
According to her, the reinstatement offers the Senate an opportunity to demonstrate accountability, restraint, and respect for democratic values.
“The Senate must remember that power is best shown not through intimidation but through transparent actions, fairness, restraint and accountability,” she added.
Ezekwesili concluded by urging senators to ensure that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against the Senate President are handled justly, warning that Nigerians are watching and history will judge whether the 11th Senate chooses “vindictiveness or justice.”