Former Nigerian Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of misconduct and discrimination against female lawmakers.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ezekwesili expressed concern over Akpabio's alleged humiliation of female senators, specifically naming Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ireti Kingibe as victims of his actions.
Her remarks come in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent revelations about the discrimination and exclusion she has faced since last year, particularly after a nightclub incident that allegedly triggered a pattern of harassment.
The senator disclosed in an interview with Brekete Family that she has been denied privileges, removed from international activities, and even had her nomination to a United Nations event struck out.
She further claimed that she has had to personally fund her trips to crucial global engagements, arguing that these opportunities are vital for her constituents, Nigerian women, and the nation at large.
Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her seat in the Senate was deliberately changed to make her less visible, suggesting a calculated attempt to sideline her.
Akpabio has faced growing backlash for his alleged mistreatment of female lawmakers, with over 300 women’s groups already demanding an apology for what they describe as sexist remarks and gender-based discrimination.
Reacting to these developments, Ezekwesili, a former presidential candidate and ex-Vice President of the World Bank (Africa Region), urged female politicians to remain resilient and continue representing their constituents.
She emphasized the importance of women’s representation in leadership and warned Akpabio of impending consequences if he persists in his alleged harassment.
In a post on her X handle, she condemned his leadership, stating:
"I tweeted last year that if not for the rottenness of our Judiciary, Nigerians would not have an @Senator_Akpabio presiding over the upper house of our @nassnigeria - the Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate. That statement has been given proof by Mr. Akpabio himself in the nearly 2 years of his ‘leadership’ of the Senate."
She further criticized Akpabio’s treatment of female senators, adding:
"One issue stands out. Mr. Akpabio implicitly thinks that his even more accomplished female colleagues must be humiliated in order for his ego to be assuaged. Is it not a shame that one day it is @NatashaAkpoti, another day @IretiKingibe, and yet another day @NatashaAkpoti again who are at the receiving end of the appalling misconduct of the topmost officer of our Legislature?"
Highlighting Nigeria’s low ranking in women’s political representation, Ezekwesili encouraged female lawmakers to remain steadfast, stating that data consistently proves that representation matters.
Concluding her statement, she issued a direct warning to Akpabio:
"Next time Mr. Akpabio harasses any woman well-elected, unlike him, and representing her constituency at the National Assembly, or any woman at all anywhere in this country, he must get ready. Enough said."
As the controversy intensifies, public scrutiny remains on the Senate President, with growing calls for accountability and a commitment to gender equity within Nigeria’s political sphere.