Former Minister for Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has cautioned the Senate to treat the Senator Representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti, fairly and professionally following her return to the upper chamber after her six-month suspension.
Akpoti -Uduaghan resumed at the Senate on Tuesday, joining other Senators who had returned from their annual vacation .
The first term lawmaker returns to work at the end of a suspension that had generated widespread public debate earlier in the year.
The lawmaker was suspended in March 2025 for six months over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.
Following her suspension, her office—located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing—had been locked since March 6, 2025.
However, it unsealed by the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, signaling her return.
In her reaction to the Kogi Senator’s return, Ezekwesili asked that her full rights and privileges be restored.
She said: “Senator Natasha’s suspension is seen by all reasonable Nigerians as an act of injustice- 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.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement therefore provides the Senate a chance to correct that mistake and show the public that it can uphold fairness and respect for every elected member”.
The former minister also urged the Senate, to “Stop all hostilities and silent punishments. There must be no more attempts to sideline, frustrate, or humiliate her for simply doing her job. 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”.
Ezekwesili urged the Senate to “Set a better example. The Senate must prove it can handle all matters involving individual members with maturity and not to unjustly weaponize public power to unjustly punish the aggrieved.
“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.
“As I have maintained from the start of this saga, this is not only about Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is about what kind of democracy Nigeria wants to build- one where no one is punished for standing up for the truth, and where women can lead without fear of bias or bullying.
“The Senate must remember that power is best shown not through intimidation but through transparent actions, fairness, restraint and accountability”.
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