A group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of suppressing women’s voices, citing his recent actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as an alarming case of gender-based intimidation.
VIEW, a coalition committed to fostering equitable and inclusive political spaces for women, condemned what it described as “Akpabio’s persistent disregard for female lawmakers.”
The group expressed outrage over the recent incident in which Akpoti-Uduaghan was ordered out of the Senate chambers while asserting her right to speak, calling it part of a larger pattern of systemic suppression.
The coalition, which includes prominent women leaders such as Asma’u Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Fatima Akilu, Aisha Oyebode, Kadaria Ahmed, and Aisha Waziri Ibrahim, insisted that the continued harassment of female politicians is unacceptable.
“This is not an isolated event; it follows previous instances where the Senate President has demonstrated blatant disregard for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and other women in leadership. This trend must be interrogated and challenged,” the group stated.
VIEW stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiant remark, “I am not afraid of you,” serves as a rallying cry for all women in leadership who refuse to be silenced.
They criticized the toxic political culture that forces female lawmakers to fight for their right to be heard, beyond their legislative duties.
“Why is it that the Senate President cannot engage with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without resorting to condescension and dismissal? A leader of a democratic institution must uphold respect, fairness, and inclusivity for all lawmakers, regardless of gender,” the statement added.
VIEW called for concrete measures to end gender-based intimidation in the Senate and urged the Nigerian legislature to create an environment where women’s voices are welcomed, respected, and encouraged in governance.
“We stand unwavering in our solidarity with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and all Nigerian women who refuse to be silenced. A democracy that marginalizes women’s voices is a democracy in crisis.
“We will continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability until true inclusivity is achieved,” the coalition declared.