CHRICED Condemns Senator Akpabio’s Scornful Treatment of Female Colleagues at The National Assembly, Deems His Apology Insincere.

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) is deeply concerned about the disrespectful, disdainful, and frivolous manner, in which the Senate President Godswill Akpabio has consistently treated his female colleagues in the Nigerian Senate. Senator Akpabio’s recent derogatory comments towards Senator Natasha Akpoti on the Senate floor, comparing her behavior to that of actions in a nightclub, are unacceptable, inappropriate, unprofessional, and unbecoming of someone holding the position of Senate President. Such behavior demonstrates a lack of responsibility and a blatant disregard for women.

CHRICED acknowledges Senator Akpabio’s belated apology to Senator Akpoti. The delayed and seemingly insincere nature of the apology reflects poorly on Akpabio’s character. Senator Akpabio has previously demonstrated a concerning lack of respect for Senator Ireti Kingibe, the sole representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the senate. This was evident when she voiced her frustration on the senate floor about being excluded from important discussions, particularly those related to the FCT budget. Despite Senator Ireti’s efforts to advocate for her constituents and her concerns about a rift with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senator Akpabio dismissed her outrightly. Instead of addressing Senator Ireti’s concerns, the Senate President instructed the FCT Minister to disregard what he referred to as “distractions “. Senator Akpabio’s lack of empathy is disheartening. It is even more troubling that other senate members seem to turn a blind eye while Akpabio takes pleasure in belittling women. There is no denying that Senator Akpabio’s inappropriate behavior has emboldened FCT Minister Mr. Nyeson Wike’s arrogance and his threat to block Senator Ireti Kingigbe’s reelection in 2027. Such dismissive and disrespectful conduct is not only disheartening but also underscores the significant obstacles women encounter in our political sphere.

This type of disrespect is deeply disturbing in a nation where women hold only 4 (four) out of 106 senate seats in the 10th National Assembly. The 35% affirmative action policy is designed to guarantee that 35% of governance positions are filled by women. However, this policy is far from being met in Nigeria due to the numerous obstacles that women face when seeking political appointments. Even the few women that were able to subdue these obstacles are frequently harassed, silenced and alienated. This is evident in the dismissal of Senator Akpoti’s sensible contributions and the silence of other Senate members, which only serves to exacerbate the challenge of achieving gender equity and equality and may discourage women from engaging in governance.

For us at CHRICED, we are not at all surprised by Senator Akpabio’s disgraceful actions, especially considering the 2020 controversy surrounding his role as Federal Minister of Niger Delta. During that time, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Ms. Gberu Joy Nunieh, publicly accused Akpabio of orchestrating her removal from office for refusing to comply with illegal orders and also accused him of sexual harassment . Despite his denial of these accusations, the incident remains a troubling reference point.

In 2023, while vying for the position of Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio was publicly criticized by a group of women from the South-South region of Nigeria, led by Dr. Emma Ubong. They expressed concerns about the threat posed by Senator Akpabio to women , citing his consistent lack of respect towards them. As a frontline civil society organization committed to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in the promotion of democracy and accountability, we are compelled to address Senator Akpabio’s continuous reinforcement of risks to women through his unbridled utterances and actions.

We believe that the behavior of Senator Akpabio is not only detrimental to the progress of women in politics, but also sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of women in society as a whole. His actions perpetuate a culture of disrespect and disregard for women, which has far-reaching implications for the safety and well-being of women in Nigeria.

Thus, CHRICED condemns Senator Akpabio’s behavior and calls for him to issue a public apology to all female senators in the Nigerian Senate. It is imperative that leaders in positions of power set a positive example and treat their colleagues with respect and dignity, regardless of gender.

Furthermore, CHRICED urges the Nigerian Senate to take disciplinary action against Senator Akpabio for his derogatory remarks and to implement measures to ensure that such behavior is not tolerated in the future at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Women in leadership positions should be able to carry out their duties without fear of being belittled or disrespected.

CHRICED stands in solidarity with all women who have been subjected to discrimination and disrespect in the workplace. It is crucial that we work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for all, regardless of gender. We will continue to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women in all spheres of society. Senator Akpabio’s behavior is unacceptable, and we will not rest until women are able to participate in politics and public life without fear of discrimination or mistreatment.