By Abiola Olawale
In a scathing open letter released on Wednesday, a former Nigerian Minister of Education and renowned public policy advocate, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has accused the Nigerian Senate, led by President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of alleged constitutional violations.
Ezekwesili claimed that the Senate allegedly assaulted democratic principles by refusing to recall suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Titled “A Memo to the Nigerian Senate, Judiciary and Fellow Citizens,” the former Minister called for urgent intervention from the judiciary and fellow senators to end what she describes as an “unprecedented assault on judicial authority.”
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Ezekwesili, who is the Founder, SPPG- School of Politics, Policy and Governance, while accusing the highest lawmaking body of allegedly leading a misadventure to destroy the rule of law and Nigeria’s democracy, urged Nigerians to unite in their voices and take a collective stand against what she called ” this continuing constitutional assault.”
She warned that six months of this crisis is already too many. The letter reads in part: “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 the 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.
“To Fellow Nigerians: Unify our voices and take a collective stand against this continuing constitutional assault. Six months of this crisis is already too many.
“Every day without remedy chips away at democracy’s foundation. Every moment court orders are defied by those in power teaches our children that law is optional for the powerful.”
The New Diplomat reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension began on March 6, 2025, following a dramatic confrontation with Akpabio during Senate proceedings.
The incident stemmed from a dispute over seat allocation. Natasha had refused to relocate from her designated position, accusing the President of the Senate of alleged discriminatory practices aimed at silencing her voice.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions subsequently deemed her actions as “insubordination” and “unruly conduct,” recommending a penalty, which included suspension, withdrawal of her aides, office access, salary, and security detail.
The suspension quickly escalated into a huge controversy when Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that her suspension had to do with an earlier allegation she had made against Akpabio for alleged sexual harassment—a claim the Senate dismissed as unsubstantiated.
