The Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a prominent women’s rights advocacy group, has condemned Senate President Godswill Akpabio for what they describe as a blatant disrespect towards female senators.
The group’s criticism follows recent incidents where Akpabio dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, warning her that the Senate is not a “nightclub.”
The remark by the former Akwa Ibom governor was made after Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke without being recognized by Akpabio.
Weeks earlier, Akpabio had silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during a protest about her exclusion from discussions concerning the capital.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group expressed deep concern over the conduct of the Senate President.
Part of the statement read: “In a disheartening display of disrespect and gender bias, the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio, recently demeaned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by comparing her conduct in the Senate to behavior suited to ‘a nightclub.’
This is not the first instance of such behavior from Senator Akpabio; he recently silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similarly dismissive manner, underscoring a troubling pattern.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged successful in a challenging electoral process to become the undisputed representative of her people in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The exclusion or undermining of voices like hers can lead to governance that overlooks the needs and experiences of at least 50% of the population, reducing the overall quality and responsiveness of political decision-making.
“The contribution of the female voice in governance is not just a matter of fairness; it is a democratic imperative. Senator Akpabio’s censure of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must be addressed seriously.
“This is a call to action for the Senate to uphold norms of respect and equity and to hold itself accountable. Only then can governance be truly representative and democracy genuinely participatory, fostering a society that values equity, inclusion, and diversity across all dimensions.
“We require immediate redress. We pray that Senate President Akpabio will embody the true spirit of ‘God’s will’ by showing the grace and integrity required to ensure that all senators are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.”