…calls on PDP leadership to take urgent action
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been urged to take a stand against the harassment of the only PDP female senator from the North, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by authorities of the state.
In a statement titled, “A Call to Action: Defending the Integrity of Our Party and the Rights of Nigerian Women” circulated on Tuesday, condemning the recent attempt to unlawfully arrest the senator, Mrs. Tari Oba, a prominent PDP women leader and advocate, decried what she described as a “brazen abuse of power” and a direct threat to the principles of democracy and justice.
“This is not merely an attack on one individual; it is an affront to our collective values,” the statement read. “We must speak boldly. We must act decisively. Anything less is complicity.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the PDP’s only female senator from Northern Nigeria, has reportedly faced increasing political intimidation in recent weeks. The latest development, a failed attempt at arresting her under circumstances yet to be clarified, has sparked outrage among party faithful and civil society groups.
Mrs. Oba’s letter called on the PDP to rise above partisanship and issue an immediate and public condemnation of the attempted arrest. She also demanded a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the incident and urged the party to ensure the senator’s safety and uphold her fundamental rights.
“This is about our core values as a democratic party,” she warned, invoking the legacy of Nigerian women like Hajia Gambo Sawaba, who endured state intimidation for their political beliefs. “We can not allow history to repeat itself.”
The call to action was widely circulated to key organs of the party, including the PDP Chairman, the Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BOT), National Executive Committee (NEC), and several support groups.
As the court hearing in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case approaches on Thursday, June 19, 2025, Mrs. Oba urged all party leaders and allies to use every available platform—public or private—to resist what she described as “the persecution of women who dare to speak truth to power.”
“The PDP must not be silent,” she added. “Nigerians are watching. Women are watching. The international community is watching.”
Political observers believe this development could have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s internal cohesion, especially among its women and youth blocs. Many have taken to social media under the hashtag #WeAreAllNatasha, demanding justice and transparency.
The party is yet to respond to the letter at the time of this report.
