• Condemns Senate President’s Mistreatment of Female Colleagues.

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering democracy, accountability, and the rule of law, has been closely monitoring the actions and leadership within the Nigerian Senate, particularly regarding the treatment of the four female senators among the total of 109.

We express our profound concern regarding the consistently disrespectful and dismissive behavior exhibited by Senate President Godswill Akpabio towards his female colleagues, while other senators remain silent. The recent and expedited suspension of Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents yet another instance of the ongoing violation of the rights of women senators to express themselves.

Senator Akpabio has previously exhibited a troubling disregard for Senator Ireti Kingibe, the only representative of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate. This was particularly apparent when she expressed her dissatisfaction on the Senate floor regarding her exclusion from significant discussions, especially those pertaining to the FCT budget. Despite Senator Ireti’s attempts to advocate for her constituents and her worries about a potential conflict with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Senator Akpabio dismissed her concerns entirely. Rather than addressing Senator Ireti’s issues, the Senate President directed the FCT Minister to ignore what he termed “distractions “.

Subsequently, Senator Akpabio made disparaging remarks about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on the Senate floor, likening her conduct to that typically seen in a “nightclub”. Although he later issued an apology to Senator Natasha in response to public backlash, Akpabio has not demonstrated any genuine remorse, as he continues to display inappropriate and unprofessional behavior that is unbefitting of his role as Senate President.

Senator Akpabio’s decision to oversee the suspension of Senator Natasha, who accused him of sexual harassment, is unequivocally condemnable. CHRICED categorically rejects the weak justification offered for this suspension and calls for her immediate and unconditional reinstatement to the Senate. The timing of Senator Akpabio’s actions, occurring shortly after his “nightclub” remarks, suggests a premeditated agenda against Senator Natasha. At CHRICED, we assert that it is legally established that one cannot impartially preside over his own case. It is a travesty of democracy and a disgrace to the esteemed chamber of the Senate that such a gross injustice could occur against Senator Natasha simply for daring to reveal her experience of sexual harassment by Senator Akpabio, particularly because she is a woman and a member of the opposition party.

CHRICED applauds Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her bravery in addressing harassment and her refusal to remain silent in a largely male-dominated Senate. Her actions not only underscore the difficulties encountered by women in political arenas but also act as a source of hope and motivation for women globally who have faced comparable challenges. It is essential that her courage is acknowledged and upheld, as it fosters a culture of transparency and accountability.
It is utterly shameful that Senator Akpabio and his associates in the Senate have chosen the week of International Women’s Day, coinciding with the sacred month of Ramadan, to commit this injustice against Senator Natasha. Furthermore, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Muslim/Muslim presidency has remained silent on this matter. It seems that Senator Akpabio feels empowered to act with impunity in the Senate, likely due to his close ties with President Tinubu. Otherwise, he would have been removed from the Senate long ago for his ongoing disrespect towards his female colleagues.

The Senate President’s dismissive and disrespectful behavior towards women is not only troubling but also highlights the significant challenges women face in our political landscape. This situation is particularly alarming in a country where women occupy only four out of 109 Senate seats in the 10th National Assembly. The 35% affirmative action policy aims to ensure that women fill 35% of governance positions; however, this goal remains largely unachieved in Nigeria due to the myriad obstacles women encounter when pursuing political roles. Even the few women who manage to overcome these barriers often face harassment, silencing, and marginalization. The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti and the silence of her fellow Senate members only serve to deepen the challenges of attaining gender equity and equality, potentially deterring women from participating 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, CHRICED is compelled to address Senator Akpabio’s continuous reinforcement of risks to women through his unbridled utterances and actions.

We assert that Senator Akpabio’s conduct is not only harmful to the advancement of women in politics but also establishes a perilous precedent regarding the treatment of women in society at large. His actions contribute to a culture of disrespect and neglect towards women, which poses significant risks to their safety and well-being in Nigeria.

Consequently, CHRICED denounces Senator Akpabio’s actions and demands his immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha to the Senate, along with a public apology to all female senators within the Nigerian Senate. It is crucial for leaders in influential positions to exemplify positive behavior and to treat their colleagues with respect and dignity, irrespective of gender.

Moreover, CHRICED calls upon the Nigerian Senate to impose disciplinary measures against Senator Akpabio and to establish protocols that prevent such behavior from being tolerated in the future within the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Women in leadership roles must be able to perform their responsibilities without the fear of harassment, belittlement, or disrespect.
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 action is unacceptable, and we will not rest until women are able to participate in politics and public life without fear of discrimination or mistreatment.

Signed:

Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi
Executive Director