- VIEW called for a review of Senate rules that grant “excessive authority” to the Senate President, enabling marginalisation.
- The group criticised the reassignment of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat, arguing it was used to suppress female senators.
A group of women’s rights campaigners from North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria, known as Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has called for an independent inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct leveled by Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
On Tuesday, the organisation released a statement urging the Senate’s Ethics Committee to swiftly investigate the claims, stressing that such serious allegations should neither be ignored nor dismissed outright.
“We are particularly alarmed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment by the Senate President and, in the first instance, demand an immediate and impartial investigation by the Ethics Committee of the House,” the statement read.
The coalition further insisted that Mr Akpabio temporarily step down to allow an unbiased and transparent probe, arguing that the Senate President must not exercise “unchecked power to suppress, silence or intimidate female lawmakers.”
“The Senate must uphold the principles of justice and fairness, ensuring that no individual, regardless of their position, suppresses or silences colleagues, particularly female senators who remain underrepresented and vulnerable to systemic bias within the chamber,” they added.
Prominent activists, including Asma’u Joda, Saudatu Mahdi, Maryam Uwais, Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Amina Salihu, Mairo Mandara, and Kadaria Ahmed, jointly signed the statement.
VIEW also urged a review of Senate regulations, particularly those that grant “excessive authority” to the Senate President, arguing that such powers create room for misuse and discrimination.
The group pointed to the arbitrary reassignment of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat as an instance of how procedural gaps can be exploited to suppress female lawmakers within the chamber.
“The reallocation of seats without compliance with the rules must be restructured to promote equity and prevent the systemic marginalisation of female senators,” the group said.
They highlighted the significant underrepresentation of women in the 10th Senate, stressing the urgent need for reforms to ensure “genuine gender inclusivity” in legislative affairs, warning that inaction would perpetuate female marginalisation.
The coalition further noted that this was not the first time Mr Akpabio had faced allegations of sexual misconduct, calling for decisive action against such accusations.
“The Senate must take a stand against these allegations and send a clear message that those in power are not above accountability,” VIEW said.
Additionally, they called on senators, legislative aides, and National Assembly staff, regardless of political affiliation, to uphold justice by ensuring Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan receives a fair hearing.
BACKSTORY
The controversy started when Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was unexpectedly reassigned in the Senate chamber without her prior approval.
She was moved from her designated place in the minority section to the last row, a decision she strongly opposed.
Her refusal to accept the reassignment was interpreted as a breach of Senate rules, leading the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, to reference Section 6(1) of the Standing Rules, which empowers the Senate President to alter seating arrangements.
Mr Monguno defended the decision, citing recent defections of opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that noncompliance could result in disciplinary measures, including exclusion from Senate proceedings.
The Senate President endorsed Mr Monguno’s stance, and when Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan continued her objection, he cut off her microphone and ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber.
However, she refused to comply with the directive, insisting on exercising her right to be heard and maintaining her stance despite pressure.
VIEW had earlier criticised Mr Akpabio’s attempt to silence Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, condemning his order for her removal from the legislative session.
Following the disagreement, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused the Senate President of sexual misconduct.
She claimed that on 8 December 2023, while visiting Mr Akpabio’s home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he grabbed her hand, led her around his residence, and made inappropriate advances—even in the presence of her husband.
In reaction, Ekaette Akpabio, the Senate President’s wife, initiated two defamation lawsuits at the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding N350 billion in damages for the alleged harm caused to her husband’s reputation.
Responding to the lawsuits, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that she possesses “concrete evidence” to support her allegations. Through her legal representative, Victor Giwa, she also urged Mrs Akpabio to refrain from interfering in the case.
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