Oby Ezekwesili Criticizes National Assembly for Prioritizing Senate Rules Over Constitution

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has accused the National Assembly of elevating its internal rules above the Nigerian Constitution, calling the move dubious and undemocratic.

Ezekwesili made this assertion while criticizing the legislature for failing to properly address Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment complaint against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She described Nigerian lawmakers as individuals who act with impunity, claiming they have seized control of the country’s democracy for their own interests.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Ezekwesili emphasized that Senate rules should never override constitutional provisions. Drawing a parallel with the United States, she explained that while the US Senate has the power to determine its rules, those rules must still comply with the supreme law of the land—the Constitution.

"No, U.S. Senate rules do not supersede the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and all Senate rules must align with its provisions. If a Senate rule were found to be unconstitutional, it would be invalidated."

She further stated that Nigeria borrowed its presidential system from the US, yet the Nigerian Senate has allegedly positioned its internal regulations above the Constitution, national laws, and judicial precedents.

“The tail is now wagging the dog. A dangerous thing. How long do citizens want to lethargically permit this aberration to continue? The answer is in each of our hands.”

Ezekwesili urged Nigerians to resist what she termed a dangerous violation of democratic principles, encouraging citizens to demand accountability from their lawmakers.