Renowned public policy advocate and founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has issued a strongly worded memo to the Nigerian Senate, judiciary and citizens, describing the prolonged suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a grave constitutional breach and existential threat to democracy, reports ITREALMS.
According to Ezekwesili, the suspension, now stretching into six months, amounts to “serial lawbreaking” by the Senate and a weaponization of legislative power.
In the memo dated September 9, 2025 and available to ITREALMS, Ezekwesili condemned the Senate’s latest move, a letter signed by the Acting Senate Clerk on September 4 informing Akpoti-Uduaghan that her suspension would continue indefinitely because the matter was sub judice.
In the memo dated September 9, 2025 and available to ITREALMS, Ezekwesili condemned the Senate’s latest move, a letter signed by the Acting Senate Clerk on September 4 informing Akpoti-Uduaghan that her suspension would continue indefinitely because the matter was sub judice.
She described this justification as “preposterous and fundamentally flawed,” insisting that pending litigation cannot override constitutional provisions or prolong an already unlawful suspension.
Quoting the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, which held the six-month suspension to be excessive and unconstitutional, Ezekwesili stressed that the decision denied Kogi Central constituents their right to representation for nearly an entire legislative session.
Quoting the ruling of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, which held the six-month suspension to be excessive and unconstitutional, Ezekwesili stressed that the decision denied Kogi Central constituents their right to representation for nearly an entire legislative session.
She further noted that Senate rules, specifically Order 67(4), only permit suspension for a maximum of 14 days, making the extended punishment illegal.
“This is not just about one Senator. It is about the survival of Nigeria’s democracy,” Ezekwesili warned, pointing out that when lawmakers become both accusers and judges, accountability collapses and citizens are left at the mercy of unchecked power.
She also faulted the judiciary for inconsistencies that allow legislative impunity to persist, urging the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to act swiftly in concluding the Akpoti-Uduaghan case to restore public trust in the courts.
Ezekwesili’s message was clear: the Senate must immediately rescind the suspension, reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and stop what she termed “a scandalous misappropriation of public office powers.”
“To fellow Nigerians,” she said, “our collective defense of her immediate return is a defense of every citizen’s right against public power abuse. Democracy dies when citizens choose to be silent spectators to injustice.”
Ezekwesili concluded with a stark reminder that the Senate President and 107 Senators “are not more powerful than the Nigerian people."
“This is not just about one Senator. It is about the survival of Nigeria’s democracy,” Ezekwesili warned, pointing out that when lawmakers become both accusers and judges, accountability collapses and citizens are left at the mercy of unchecked power.
She also faulted the judiciary for inconsistencies that allow legislative impunity to persist, urging the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to act swiftly in concluding the Akpoti-Uduaghan case to restore public trust in the courts.
Ezekwesili’s message was clear: the Senate must immediately rescind the suspension, reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and stop what she termed “a scandalous misappropriation of public office powers.”
“To fellow Nigerians,” she said, “our collective defense of her immediate return is a defense of every citizen’s right against public power abuse. Democracy dies when citizens choose to be silent spectators to injustice.”
Ezekwesili concluded with a stark reminder that the Senate President and 107 Senators “are not more powerful than the Nigerian people."
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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