Natasha: Northern Renaissance Group Urges Integrity Icon, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, to Address Bribery Allegations
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In a stunning turn of events that has rattled Nigeria’s political and civic landscape, the Northern Renaissance Network (NRN) has issued a powerful statement expressing “profound disappointment and grave concern” over serious bribery allegations leveled against Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, the former Minister of Education and widely respected anti-corruption crusader.
The allegations, which surfaced in a widely circulated video by Dr. Sandra Duru, claim that Dr. Ezekwesili allegedly accepted bribes from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to defend her in the high-profile sexual harassment accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The NRN, a prominent group advocating for integrity and accountability in Nigerian governance, minced no words in calling for an immediate and transparent response from Dr. Ezekwesili.
According to Dr. Duru’s explosive claims, Senator Natasha reportedly confessed during a phone conversation that she offered financial incentives to Dr. Ezekwesili and other unnamed individuals, described as “useful idiots,” to rally support for her case against Akpabio. Dr. Duru further alleged that she too was approached with a similar bribe but firmly rejected the offer.
“Such claims, if true, represent a serious betrayal of public trust and a grievous dent on Dr. Ezekwesili’s reputation as a champion of good governance,” the NRN declared in its statement signed by spokesman Theo Abuh Agada. “These accusations strike at the heart of the values of honesty, accountability, and moral rectitude that Dr. Ezekwesili has publicly espoused throughout her career.”
Long hailed as a beacon of integrity, Dr. Ezekwesili has been a prominent voice in Nigeria’s push for transparency, having co-founded the Bring Back Our Girls movement and served as Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa division. The NRN acknowledged her impactful contributions but emphasized that such a serious allegation could not be ignored.
“We are deeply dismayed that Dr. Ezekwesili… would allow herself to be entangled in such a messy and ethically compromising controversy,” the statement continued. “These allegations, if left unaddressed, cast a dark shadow over her legacy and undermine the credibility of her contributions to Nigeria’s democratic and social development.”
The NRN has called on Dr. Ezekwesili to urgently issue a clear and comprehensive public response. “She must address the public directly, clarifying her involvement, if any, with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and refuting the claims of receiving bribes to influence her stance,” the group stated. “Silence or evasion in the face of such serious accusations is unacceptable.”
Analysts say the allegations, regardless of their veracity, threaten to erode public trust in one of Nigeria’s most prominent advocates for ethical leadership. The NRN warned that failure to address the claims could result in “irreparable damage” to both Dr. Ezekwesili’s personal reputation and the broader movement for accountability in Nigeria.
As the nation watches closely, Dr. Ezekwesili’s next move could prove pivotal in preserving not just her legacy, but the public’s faith in the ideals she has long championed. Will she break her silence and clear her name, or will the weight of these allegations cast a lasting shadow on her storied career?
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