The Northern Renaissance Network (NRN), a well-known group advocating for integrity and transparency in Nigerian leadership, has strongly called on Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, to openly respond to serious bribery accusations that have recently surfaced online.
These allegations were made by Dr. Sandra Duru in a video that has now gone viral. In the video, Dr. Duru claimed that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan paid Dr. Ezekwesili to publicly support her in a controversial sexual harassment case involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
According to Dr. Duru, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly admitted during a phone conversation that she had given money to Ezekwesili and others to stand by her in the matter. Duru said Akpoti-Uduaghan referred to those she paid as “useful idiots,” implying they were being used to push a narrative. Duru also claimed that she herself was approached with a bribe to join the campaign against Akpabio but said she rejected the offer.
Reacting to the video and the growing controversy, the Northern Renaissance Network expressed its concern over the damaging nature of the claims. The group described the accusations as a major betrayal of public trust and a serious blow to Dr. Ezekwesili’s long-standing reputation as a defender of good governance and ethics.
“These accusations strike at the heart of the values of honesty, accountability, and moral uprightness that Dr. Ezekwesili has always claimed to uphold,” the NRN stated. “If true, these claims do not only harm her personal image but also cast doubt on the sincerity of Nigeria’s ongoing fight for transparent and ethical leadership.”
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The NRN stressed the importance of addressing the situation head-on. The group said the bribery allegations against Oby Ezekwesili were too grave to be ignored or brushed aside. “There is a dangerous implication here—that public opinion is being influenced not by facts or justice, but by money and manipulation,” the group said. “If public figures are being paid to take sides in sensitive national issues, then we are dealing with a serious crisis of credibility.”
The group further noted that the silence from Dr. Ezekwesili so far has only worsened the situation. It urged her to speak up immediately, offering a clear and honest account of any dealings she may have had with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. “Silence or evasion is not acceptable. Nigerians have a right to hear the truth, especially from those who have built their careers around the idea of accountability,” the NRN emphasized.
Agada Abuh Theo, spokesperson for the Northern Renaissance Network, reiterated the group’s commitment to promoting truth, justice, and accountability in Nigeria. He warned that the bribery allegations against Oby Ezekwesili, if not properly addressed, could permanently damage her credibility and weaken the broader movement for ethical governance in the country.
“We are not rushing to judgment, but the seriousness of these allegations demands a full, transparent response,” Theo said. “The public has been inspired by her voice over the years. Now is the time for her to show that the principles she speaks about truly guide her actions.”
As of the time this report was filed, Dr. Ezekwesili had not issued any public statement in response to either the viral video or the NRN’s open call. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to dominate discussions on social media and across traditional news platforms, as many Nigerians wait anxiously for her to clear the air.
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