EZEKWESILI WRITES TO AKPABIO, OTHER SENATORS, JUDICIARY TO RECALL NATASHA
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ABUJA – Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has criticized the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, along with other Senators, regarding their management of the situation involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central. She implored the Senate, as a priority, to reverse its unconstitutional decision forthwith and reinstate her.
She asserted that the Senate must promptly terminate what she described as a disgraceful misuse of public office authority to contravene laws and violate the nation’s Constitution. Ezekwesili emphasized that lawmakers should showcase Nigeria’s dedication to justice, constitutional governance, and the rule of law as substantial and not merely indicative, urging an end to this arrogance immediately.
Ezekwesili, who is the Founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), accused the nation’s apex legislative body of embarking on a perilous path that threatens the rule of law and Nigeria’s democracy. She called upon Nigerians to unite their voices and collectively oppose this ongoing constitutional violation, asserting that six months of this turmoil is already excessive.
In a memorandum directed to the Nigerian Senate, judiciary, and fellow citizens, Ezekwesili cautioned that democracy falters when laws are wielded as instruments and lawmakers become habitual offenders. She warned that when the Senate assumes the roles of both accuser and adjudicator concerning its leadership, accountability is compromised, emphasizing that the President of the Senate and 106 Senators do not hold greater authority than the Nigerian populace.
The letter read, “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a covenant between government and governed. Article 6 establishes the judiciary as guardian of constitutional rights. Section 4 defines legislative power limits. Section 14 enshrines the rule of law as democracy’s foundation. These are binding obligations, not suggestions.
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“The highest lawmaking body of our Land is leading a misadventure to destroy the rule of law and our Democracy.
“When the Senate became both accuser and judge in matters involving its leadership, accountability disappeared on this matter. Recall how the Senate Ethics Committee chairman, declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition “dead on arrival” before investigation, stating “Akpabio could not have committed sexual harassment.” That prejudgment revealed a system designed to protect power rather than pursue truth.
“Some people dismiss this case as an ‘unserious personal quarrel’ irrelevant to suffering Nigerians. Such a view terribly misunderstands the stakes. The Akpoti-Uduaghan versus Akpabio matter reveals how those entrusted with constitutional power act with impunity.
“The Constitution grants citizens more power than those in office. However, when majority of our citizens remain unconcerned instead of demanding accountability collectively, constitutional breaches like Senate President Akpabio’s will continue to compound and endanger all.
“This case transcends one Senator or constituency—it concerns our democracy’s soul and our collective responsibility to protect it. If a duly elected Senator can be silenced for exercising constitutional rights to petition and speak, what protection exists for ordinary citizens?
“Democracy thrives when citizens refuse to be silent spectators to injustice. When we allow one citizen’s rights to be trampled, we enable abuse of our democratic freedoms. As Thomas Jefferson taught: the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
“I had to write this memo despite my considered decision to stop wasting my effort on an evidently unreasonable political class. There is sufficient reason to believe that those in power have chosen self-destruction, and no counsel can stop them.
“Yet I make one more attempt to caution against this latest democratic assault.
“To the Senate and Senators: Rescind your unconstitutional decision immediately. Recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without delay. Cease your scandalous misappropriation of public office powers to break laws and breach our Constitution. Demonstrate that Nigeria’s commitment to justice, constitutional governance, and rule of law is substantive, not rhetorical. End this hubris now.
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