A champion of accountability…Nigerians appreciate you. I celebrate your brilliance, resilience and selfless service. You are a hero
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator from Kogi Central who is currently suspended, has apologized to Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, for the insults she got during a heated discussion between Ebonyi North senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and herself on Tuesday, March 25.
An argument took place during a hearing before the Senate Ethics Committee over the accusation of sexual harassment against Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
During the argument, Nwaebonyi replied to Ezekwesili, “You are an insult to womanhood,” after Ezekwesili had told him to “shut up.”
Natasha wrote, “Dr. @obyezeks, Ma’am, I apologise for the insults. Know you took them for me… for us … as a mother and as a leader.
“Know that you are a true icon of integrity, courage, and visionary leadership. Your unwavering commitment to good governance, education and democracy continues to inspire generations.
“A champion of accountability…Nigerians appreciate you. I celebrate your brilliance, resilience and selfless service. You are a hero.”
In response Ezekwesili wrote on X stating that, “A torrent of insults from any source is but a little price to pay in our resolve to see a Nigerian that becomes.
“Our daughters and granddaughters must never inherit battles and wars we should have fought and won for them. An unjust society that silences women and vulnerable people can never become.”
Additionally, Dr. Ezekwesili made a televised appearance in which she said that senators’ behavior at the session was indicative of long-standing gender bias.
She said, “That attitude pervades the way our lawmakers are behaving. I was actually very pleased with what happened yesterday (Tuesday) because now it is in the public domain what women endure in many instances, and the rest of society may know little about it but has not focused on it.
“The society should not allow any group or persons, no matter how powerful they are, to shut the voices of accountability.”