The ongoing disagreement between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to stir reactions across political and social circles. Responding to the issue, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has vowed to engage with Senate leadership to mediate and seek an amicable resolution to the issues surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed her dismay over the allegations of sexual harassment within the Senate, calling the incident “deeply troubling” and a stain on the integrity of the National Assembly.
She emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable in any institution, particularly one tasked with shaping the nation’s laws and policies. “The Senate should be a beacon of morality and accountability,” she said. “We cannot allow such incidents to tarnish its reputation or discourage women from participating in governance.”
The Minister’s intervention comes amid growing criticism of the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the action, describing it as an attempt to suppress dissent and undermine democratic principles. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar echoed these sentiments, labeling the suspension as a blatant effort to silence women in leadership. He criticized the lack of due process, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law.
Beyond the political divide, advocacy groups have also weighed in on the matter. ActionAid Nigeria, for instance, has raised concerns about the speed with which the suspension was executed. The organization has called for an independent inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations to ensure accountability and transparency in the legislative arm of government.
Speaking on the broader issue of gender representation, Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms that promote women’s participation in governance. She lamented the decline in female representation in the Senate, noting that the previous assembly had nine female senators, while the current one has only four.
