ABUJA, June 17, 2025 — A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs. Tari Oba, has called on the party’s leadership and stakeholders to take urgent action following the reported attempt to unlawfully arrest Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Mrs. Oba, in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, warned that the silence of the party in the face of what she termed “a brazen abuse of power” would amount to complicity and betrayal of the ideals the PDP claims to uphold.
“This is not merely an attack on one individual,” Oba said. “It is an affront to our collective values, our commitment to justice, and the very fabric of our democracy.”
She emphasized that the situation transcends the person of Senator Natasha, saying it serves as a litmus test for the party’s resolve to protect its members and defend the rights of Nigerian women who challenge the status quo.
In her demands, Oba called for:
A public condemnation by the PDP of the alleged intimidation of Senator Natasha;
A full, transparent, and independent investigation into the allegations raised by the senator;
Assurance of safety and protection for Senator Natasha and a firm commitment to safeguarding the rights of all Nigerian women in politics.
With the next court hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2025, Mrs. Oba urged party leaders and allies to use all available platforms to advocate for justice, stating that “our silence would betray every citizen who believes in due process, dignity, and democratic governance.”
Recalling the historical struggles of women like Hajia Gambo Sawaba, who faced state intimidation for challenging oppression, Oba warned that such patterns must not be repeated.
She further expressed concern that the PDP’s only female senator from Northern Nigeria is being targeted, urging the party not to stand by idly. “Nigerians are watching. Women are watching. The international community is watching,” she said.
The statement concluded with a rallying call to Nigerians, particularly women and youth, to unite and resist the injustice, describing the incident as a defining moment in the fight for justice, equality, and the preservation of democracy in Nigeria.
The message was copied to the PDP Chairman, Governors’ Forum, National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BOT), National Executive Committee (NEC), PDP National Assembly Forum, and other key organs of the party.
