‘A disturbing pattern’ — women group faults Akpabio for clash with Natasha

The Voices for Inclusion and Equity For Women (VIEW) has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for the heated exchange with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. 

On February 20, Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi central, clashed over seating arrangements in the upper legislative chamber.

The disagreement began when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned at the start of plenary.

Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the change was a deliberate attempt to diminish her visibility and reduce her chances of contributing to debates.

She also claimed she was recently removed from a senate committee because some colleagues believed she was “diverting resources from the Niger Delta to the north”.

In a statement on Tuesday, VIEW said Akpabio’s action was a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The statement was signed by Asma’u Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Fatima Akilu, Aisha Oyebode, Kadaria Ahmed, and Aisha Waziri Ibrahim.

“The troubling actions of Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Senator Natasha Akpoti once again highlight the systemic suppression of women’s voices in Nigerian politics,” the group said.

“The recent incident, where Senator Akpoti was ordered out of the Senate chambers for asserting her rightful role to speak, is not an isolated case but part of a disturbing pattern of gender-based intimidation that must be interrogated & challenged.

“This follows previous instances where the Senate President has demonstrated disregard for Senator Akpoti and other women in leadership, a trend that Voices for Inclusion and Equity For Women (VIEW) and other advocates for gender inclusion have consistently condemned.

“The continued harassment of Senator Akpoti is emblematic of a broader culture where women who demand accountability and equity are met with hostility rather than respect.”

The group commended Akpoti-Uduaghan for her “courage in asserting her rights”, adding that Akpabio should treat her with the respect and dignity befitting a senator.

“Senator Akpoti’s defiance — her firm statement, ‘I am not afraid of you’—is a rallying cry for all women in leadership, reinforcing the necessity of unwavering resilience in the face of institutional suppression,” the statement reads.

“It is unacceptable that female lawmakers must constantly fight not just for policies and representation but for the fundamental right to be heard and respected.

“Why is it that the Senate President cannot engage with Senator Akpoti without resorting to condescension and dismissal?

“A leader in his position should be able to engage in discourse with respect and fairness rather than resorting to outright disregard and intimidation.”

The group demanded concrete measures against gender-based intimidation in the senate.