ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Minister of Education and 2019 presidential candidate, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Senate for allegedly blocking an investigation into sexual harassment allegations levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ezekwesili’s reaction followed a report by The Economist, which highlighted the hostile environment women face in Nigerian politics.
In a scathing statement shared on social media on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Ezekwesili accused the Senate of impunity and described its members as “a bunch of nation-destroyers.”
She lamented that their actions had further damaged Nigeria’s global reputation.
The Economist detailed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio, describing the scandal as emblematic of the challenges Nigerian women encounter in politics.
Ezekwesili condemned the Senate’s refusal to conduct an independent investigation into the claims, accusing lawmakers of engaging in a smear campaign against the female senator instead of addressing her petition.
She criticised the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for recommending a six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling the move unconstitutional.
“No one wants another kangaroo process of injustice like they did to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with their so-called ‘Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions’ investigation,” Ezekwesili stated.
Ezekwesili also alleged that the Senate was orchestrating a sham recall process against Akpoti-Uduaghan by bribing her constituents in Kogi Central.
She claimed that the people had largely rejected the offer.
“They are currently conspiring to execute a sham recall by bribing her constituents, who thankfully have largely rejected their offer of filthy lucre,” she said.
The former minister warned that lawmakers were tightening their grip on Nigeria’s democracy and urged citizens to resist their actions before the country is completely destroyed.
“What a bunch of nation-destroyers we have as ‘Lawmakers.’ They behave with impunity because they have taken a chokehold on our democracy,” Ezekwesili said.
She called on Nigerians to oppose the Senate’s actions, stating, “Well, it is time for all reasonable citizens to oppose them all the way before they totally destroy whatever is left of Nigeria.”
