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Summary
Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education, has called upon the Senate and 107 senators to stop all forms of targeting and harassment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She warned them that how they treat Senator Natasha will be how the public will describe the 10th Senate assembly.
Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has called upon the senate to desist from all forms of harassment or targeting of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a memo, she urged them to correct her unconstitutional suspension through fair treatment, reinstatement of her rights as a senator and respect for her dignity as a senator.
Recall that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed at the Senate after six months of unjust suspension.
Dr. Oby explained that Senator Natasha’s suspension is an injustice as seen by all reasonable Nigerians. She described it as “one that went far beyond the bounds of fair discipline.”
“It sent a wrong message that the Senate could silence or intimidate a woman who speaks boldly and stands for what she believes in,” part of the memo reads.
She emphasised that Senator Natasha must be given her full rights as a senator, and all forms of harassment against her must be stopped. She maintained that the issue is not just about Senator Natasha, but it is about the kind of democracy Nigeria wants to build. The kind where no woman is punished for standing up for the truth without fear of bias or bullying.
She reminded the Senate that how they treat Senator Natasha will be the legacy of how the public will describe the 10th Senate assembly and that power is shown through fairness and restraint, not through intimidation.
She congratulated Senator Natasha for being a symbol of fortitude and expressed her gratitude for her resilience in fighting injustice orchestrated by people who want to abuse their power.
Below are Dr Oby Ezekwesili’s recommendations to the Senate:
1. Stop all hostilities and silent punishments. There must be no more attempts to sideline, frustrate, or humiliate her for simply doing her job.
2. Restore her full rights and privileges as a Senator. So, her office, her staff, her committee roles, and her right to speak freely in the chamber must be available for her to fully function.
3. Set a better example. The Senate must prove it can handle all matters involving individual members with maturity and not unjustly weaponise public power to punish the aggrieved.
4. Show respect for the people’s mandate. Senator Natasha represents the people of Kogi Central. To target her any further is to disrespect the will of her voters.
