The ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to spark widespread reactions, with significant figures, including Women Affairs Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stepping in to address the issue. Following the controversial suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, Sulaiman-Ibrahim vowed to promptly engage with Senate leadership to facilitate an amicable reconciliation and ensure the resolution of the issues at hand.
Speaking on the matter, Sulaiman-Ibrahim also expressed concern over the sexual harassment allegations in the Senate, calling the incident “unfortunate” and emphasizing that such behavior should not occur within the National Assembly. She pledged to engage stakeholders to ensure justice is served and that peace prevails.
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which condemned the move as an attempt to silence women in leadership roles. PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, joined the condemnation, describing the suspension as an example of suppressing women’s voices in governance.
ActionAid Nigeria also expressed concerns over the hasty nature of the suspension, questioning the due process involved and calling for an independent inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations. The organization raised alarm over the impact of the suspension on the already low female representation in the Senate, highlighting that such actions discourage women from pursuing leadership roles.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, speaking at a press briefing marking International Women’s Day, underscored the importance of increasing women’s representation in politics, emphasizing the role of mentorship, economic empowerment, and gender equality in achieving this goal. She called for a shift in strategy to ensure fair opportunities for women in leadership and political participation.
Pledging continued efforts to bridge the gender gap, the Minister expressed her commitment to facilitating greater cooperation between male and female lawmakers to build a more inclusive and progressive political landscape.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, strongly criticized the Senate’s decision, asserting that the suspension lacked fairness and transparency. The opposition party pointed to the broader implications for democratic governance, stressing the need for an independent inquiry into the sexual harassment claims and the Senate’s disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, ActionAid Nigeria continued to call for accountability and an independent review of the case to ensure justice for Akpoti-Uduaghan, her constituents in Kogi Central, and the broader goal of gender equality in Nigerian politics.
