The Federal Government (FG) has intervened in the ongoing leadership crisis within Nigeria’s National Assembly following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative for Kogi Central. The move comes after Natasha was handed a six-month suspension by the Senate on Thursday, a decision that has sparked widespread outrage among women’s rights groups.
Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, spoke to reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, expressing the government’s commitment to resolving the issue. “We are engaging all stakeholders to ensure that justice is tempered with mercy,” she said during the Meet-the-Press program.
Natasha had raised alarm over sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, filing a formal petition in late February. Her allegations were dismissed by the Senate on procedural grounds, and the ethics committee recommended her suspension for allegedly ridiculing the Senate.
Minister Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasized that the suspension of female senators is a step backward for gender representation in the National Assembly. “We don’t want to lose any woman member in the Senate,” she added, expressing concern over the diminishing number of female lawmakers in the country. The minister also praised Akpabio’s willingness to engage in dialogue, noting that peace talks would be facilitated by her office.
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However, women’s advocacy groups are not backing down. The Coalition for Women in Governance, alongside other groups such as Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), has condemned the suspension. They argue that the Senate’s actions undermine democratic principles and silence women in leadership positions.
Zainab Mohammed, a leader within the coalition, called the suspension “a direct attack on the democratic rights of the people Natasha represents.” She added that the Senate’s decision is not just an injustice to one woman but to all Nigerians who challenge power. “We will take to the streets if necessary to ensure justice prevails,” Mohammed warned.
Dr. Jophia Gupar, President of the Pan African Young Women Development Initiative, echoed these sentiments. “This issue is not about Natasha; it is about Nigerian women,” Gupar said. She also criticized the lack of support from female senators, urging them to stand in solidarity with their colleague.
In a statement issued by WIMBIZ, the group demanded that the Senate respect judicial authority and conduct a fair hearing. “The suspension highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in leadership roles across Nigeria,” the statement read, underscoring the importance of gender equality on International Women’s Day, celebrated the following day.
Public Petition and Growing Support
A petition launched by the Purple Women Foundation has garnered significant support, with over 13,000 signatures calling for Senate President Akpabio to step down during the investigation into Natasha’s sexual harassment claims. The petition, which started on Wednesday, urges for transparency and accountability, demanding that a fair investigation be conducted.
In response to the suspension, some members of Akpabio’s own ethnic group, Afe Annang, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Senate’s handling of the situation. Speaking at a media briefing in Abak Local Government Area, His Majesty Obong Blaise Awakama, the leader of the Annang people, called for Natasha’s recall, stating that her conduct had “denigrated the Senate.”
Despite this, the group warned against attempts to remove Akpabio from office, asserting that any false claims of sexual harassment should not be used as a tool for political harassment.
The controversy continues to unfold as various stakeholders, including women’s rights organizations and political groups, prepare for further actions.
