Juliet Jacob and Rabiu Sultan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio harassed her after she rejected his sexual advances. She said this led to what she describes as an “arbitrary” reassignment of her Senate seat.
The situation came to a head during a plenary session when Akpoti-Uduaghan openly opposed her reassignment. A heated confrontation ensued, culminating in Akpabio ordering her removal from the chamber.
The allegations have ignited national discussions on the treatment of female politicians in Nigeria and broader concerns over systemic gender disparities in the country’s political landscape.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
Speaking with African Health Report (AHR) Waziri Ismail, an Abuja based newspaper publisher who requested that his organization remain unnamed, called for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“In a well-structured nation, issues like this should not drive women out of politics. Instead, the government must ensure accountability by conducting a comprehensive investigation. If the Senate President is found guilty, he should resign,” Ismail said. He also stressed the importance of forensic investigations into communication records to establish the truth.
A real estate manager, Mr. Edwin, compared the situation to sexual harassment in educational institutions but dismissed suggestions that such incidents should deter women from political participation.
“Countless female students have reported sexual harassment in universities, but that hasn’t stopped us from sponsoring our daughters to school. It’s a personal issue. Some female politicians have faced no harassment or have successfully declined advances. If my wife wanted to be a politician, she would have my full support,” he stated.
Captain Mubarak, another respondent, called for greater inclusion of women in politics, highlighting their underrepresentation in the Senate.
“There are only four female senators in a chamber of over a hundred. Women should not be silenced. If elected, they must be treated as equals. We should not allow such incidents to push women into the background,” he said.
