This is unacceptable and a clear indication of the entrenched patriarchy and misogyny that plagues our political institutions. The actions of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in shutting down Senator Natacha Akpoti Uduaghan and ordering her to be taken out of the chamber like a common thief as well as slamming a suspension on her are a clear example of this. We recall that the Senate President sometime last year spoke with a derogatory tone to Senator Uduaghan by saying she was not in a night club.
On that same floor of the Red Chamber he also bullied and shut down Senator Ireti Kingibe.
We have just four women out of one hundred and nine senators, our expectations is that they should be given all the moral support by the leadership of the Senate to enable them carry out their official duties without fear or intimidation and obviously our Senate President lacks the emotional intelligence to provide this atmosphere in a male dominated Senate.
NILOWV condemns this behavior in the strongest terms possible. It is unacceptable for a leader to display such blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of a female colleague. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was by all privilege, right to speak on point of order as enshrined in the Senate Standing Rules and Order of the Plenary.
This is not only an affront to Senator Oduagahn but to all women in Nigeria.
We call on all Nigerians to join us in demanding the resignation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senate President. We cannot have an undemocratic leader presiding over the only symbol of democracy in our country. He has exhibited in clear term lack of emotional intelligence to occupy such a high seat of reverence. While he presides without conscience over a National Assembly that has no single Women in the leadership both at the Senate and House of Representative. Obviously, his actions have shown that he is not fit to lead an institution that is supposed to represent the interests of all Nigerians.
This is not just an issue of Senator Akpabio's behavior; it is a symptom of a larger problem. The lack of representation and inclusion of women in our political institutions is a crisis that needs to be addressed. We need more women in leadership positions, and we need to create an environment that supports and empowers them.
NILOWV calls on all women groups and organizations to join us in this demand. We must stand together and demand justice for Senator Oduagahn and for all women who have been marginalized and excluded from our political institutions.
This is not just a women's issue; it is a democratic issue. The exclusion of women from our political institutions undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of our democracy. We need to create a more inclusive and representative democracy that reflects the diversity of our country.
The behavior of Senator Akpabio is a clear example of gender-based violence in the political space. It is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. We need to create a zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence in all its forms.
We are particularly concerned about the implications of this behavior for the Special Seats Bill that is currently before the National Assembly. How can we trust a leader who has shown such blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of women to preside over a bill that is intended to promote the inclusion and empowerment of women?
NILOWV demands that Senator Akpabio resigns immediately and that the National Assembly takes concrete steps to address the issue of gender-based violence and promote the inclusion and empowerment of women.
We call on all Nigerians to join us in this demand. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society that reflects the values of democracy and inclusivity.
Let us stand together and demand justice for Senator Oduagahn and for all women who have been marginalized and excluded from our political institutions.
Irene Awunah-ikyegh
President League of Women Voters of Nigeria NILOWV
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