A group of Northern women have expressed strong disapproval towards the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his alleged disrespectful remarks directed at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during last week’s plenary.
In a statement signed by the 20-member body Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), made available to newsmen Tuesday, the women condemned Akpabio’s actions as a blatant display of disrespect and gender bias.
The statement, “Restoring Integrity: The Imperative of Respecting Female Senators in Nigeria’s Democracy,” stated, Senator Akpabio’s remarks go beyond an isolated insult; they symbolize the maintenance of gender hierarchies and the silencing of female voices in critical political spaces.”
They further noted that this is not the first instance of such behavior from Senator Akpabio; he recently silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similarly dismissive manner, underscoring what they describe as a troubling pattern.
“Comparing a female senator’s parliamentary conduct to nightclub behavior is both sexist and an explicit attempt to bully and trivialize her contributions, diminishing her standing as a legitimate political actor. Such comments from the Senate President undermine the integrity of the Senate and contribute to a culture where women are undervalued and disrespected.”
Among the notable signatories were Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF); Nguyan Shaku Feese; Senior Strategic Adviser for the DFID Funded, Teacher Development Programme (TDP), Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA); Amina Salihu, Deputy Director Nigeria, MacArthur Foundation; Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Co-Founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation, among others.
The group emphasized that their members were drawn from North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria and is a coalition committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women across the Nation.
They noted that in a functioning democracy, especially a nascent one like Nigeria’s, every voice must be respected, regardless of gender. Dismissing female leaders with misogynistic comments undermines robust debate and diverse perspectives, which are crucial for effective policy making.
“Such attitudes reinforce harmful stereotypes, discourage women’s political participation, and perpetuate a male-dominated landscape. This is particularly detrimental for regions like northern Nigeria, where women face even more significant barriers to public office.”
The group also noted that further reactions on the matter, which would be geared towards ensuring redress and a culture of ethical behavior in public life would be welcomed.
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