Former Minister of Education and civil rights advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, has called on the Nigerian Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from her suspension, describing it as a blatant abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution.
Ezekwesili made the call in a strongly-worded memo addressed to the Senate, the Judiciary, and Nigerians, urging urgent action to correct what she described as a “continuing constitutional assault.”
Senator Natasha, who was suspended from the National Assembly in April 2025, has remained out of office for nearly six months. The reasons given for her suspension have not been fully disclosed, sparking concerns over political motives and constitutional breaches.
Ezekwesili condemned the Senate’s action as “scandalous misuse of public office powers”, and warned that if left unchecked, it could set a dangerous precedent.
“The National Assembly is on a destructive path that could weaken the rule of law and destroy our democracy,” she stated.
She reminded the lawmakers that they are bound by the same laws they swore to uphold, insisting that legislative authority is not above constitutional checks.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a covenant between government and governed,” Ezekwesili wrote. “Section 4 clearly defines the limits of legislative power. Section 14 enshrines the rule of law as democracy’s foundation. These are not suggestions—they are binding obligations.”
She went further to say that “democracy dies when laws become weapons and lawmakers become serial lawbreakers,” adding that the current situation was already eroding citizens’ trust in democratic institutions.
The former minister, known for her role in various accountability and governance movements, including #BringBackOurGirls, described the Senate’s handling of Senator Natasha’s case as “hubris” and urged the lawmakers to “end this impunity now.”
Ezekwesili also called on the Nigerian Judiciary to assert its role as the guardian of constitutional rights, stressing that it has a duty to protect the integrity of the country’s democratic framework.
She encouraged citizens, civil society groups, and democratic stakeholders to raise their voices in unity and resist what she called “this dangerous trend of political overreach.”
“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has dragged on for far too long. Nigerians must demand her recall and protect our constitutional order,” she said.
The former minister’s remarks have added momentum to growing public concern over the treatment of Senator Natasha, who remains one of the few female lawmakers in the Senate.
The development has sparked calls for increased protection of minority voices, women in politics, and respect for democratic principles, especially at a time when Nigeria faces growing pressure to strengthen its governance institutions.
As of the time of this report, the Senate has not issued any response to Ezekwesili’s letter.
