Sexual harassment Saga: Akpabio presiding over petition against him a stain on Nigeria’s democracy – Ezekwesili

A former minister of education and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has condemned the incidents that took place at the Nigerian Senate between Senators Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio.
Ezekwesili’s reaction follows the submission of a petition of sexual harassment by Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district against the person of the Senate President, Akpabio.
In an open letter to the Nigerian Senate which was also shared on X, Ezekwesili said it is farcical for the Senate President to preside over a matter as grave as sexual harassment against him.
Making two demands, she called for the swift appointment of an independent investigator to hear the petition against the Senate President by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She also called for the elevation of the status of the proceedings on Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Ethics and Privileges Committee into a Public Hearing.
According to the former minister, a public hearing on the matter will allow for full transparency and disclosure.
Below is Ezekwesili’s open letter to the Nigerian Senate:
Letter to the Nigerian Senate
The Petition of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Must Be Independently Investigated and Openly Discussed in a Public Hearing that the Accused Does Not Preside.
Two Demands:
1. Swiftly appoint an independent investigator on the petition of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
2. Elevate the status of the proceedings on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Ethics and Privileges Committee into a Public Hearing for full transparency and disclosure.
Our National Assembly which comprises the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives belongs to the Nigerian People and not to politicians of any stripe and status.
This is why the National Assembly is called a Public Institution. No individual nor collection of individuals and their groups can capture a Public Institution and use to their personal benefit or advantage.
Whenever a situation as the one involving Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio occurs, the Lawmakers must understand the Nigerian public want transparency and full disclosure. Dismissing a serious accusation against the Senate President just like the Senators irresponsibly did yesterday is a Democratic Aberration. It cannot stand. Never.
“What happened yesterday in the Senate Chamber where a Senate President presided over a grave matter involving him, was farcical and a blot on our Democracy.
It is in our Public Interest that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition be urgently given the seriousness it deserves to defend the institutional integrity of our Senate.
Act correctly now, Nigerian Senate!

Cc: ICPC Nigeria