THE ALARMING IMPLICATIONS OF HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SENATE PRESIDENT Godswill Akpabio:Safeguarding Women's political Participation in Nigeria.

 THE ALARMING IMPLICATIONS OF HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SENATE PRESIDENT Godswill Akpabio:Safeguarding Women's political Participation in Nigeria.

By Tijjani Sarki


It is deeply disheartening that in a nation striving to improve women’s political participation and encourage young girls to pursue education, we now face a situation that threatens to undermine these efforts. In many parts of Nigeria, cultural and religious barriers still restrict women's mobility and their ability to engage with men outside their immediate family. Against this backdrop, the behavior of Senate President Godswill Akpabio towards Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and similar actions-risks having a chilling effect on women's involvement in politics. Such behavior from a high-ranking official can discourage women from engaging in politics, as it creates an environment where they may fear mistreatment, marginalization, or retaliation.


The allegations against the Senate President that he made inappropriate advances towards Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and retaliated after being rejected are particularly concerning. Such incidents of harassment whether verbal or physical undermine the dignity of women in politics and send a dangerous message to other potential female candidates. Female politicians may fear facing similar mistreatment in their careers, further discouraging them from participating in public service. This perpetuates the gender disparities that already exist within Nigeria’s political system.


This incident is not isolated. Other reports of harassment and intimidation of female politicians in Nigeria highlight the urgency of addressing this issue. For example, during a confirmation hearing, a senator made an unsolicited comment regarding the physical appearance of a nominee. This behavior was widely deemed inappropriate and reinforced harmful stereotypes about women’s roles in politics.


In efforts to increase women’s participation in politics and public service, a crucial bill was introduced in October 2024 by Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and other lawmakers to amend the Nigerian Constitution. This bill aims to ensure more inclusive representation of women in the National Assembly through temporary special measures. One of the proposed amendments includes the introduction of 37 additional seats for women in the Senate, each representing a state or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as additional seats in the House of Representatives and State Assemblies. This initiative seeks to promote greater female participation, particularly in regions where women have been historically underrepresented, with a time frame of 16 years.


In light of these developments, the Senate President must temporarily step aside to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations. The National Assembly should direct the Ethics and Privileges Committee to conduct this investigation and ensure accountability. Furthermore, an independent committee, including representatives from women’s rights groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), should oversee the process to ensure transparency and fairness.


By taking these steps, the National Assembly will demonstrate its commitment to creating a political environment where such behavior is unacceptable and to promoting women’s participation in politics. Failing to address this issue will not only hinder women’s political involvement but also damage Nigeria’s long-term progress toward an inclusive and equitable society.


If the allegations involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan are not thoroughly investigated, it will set a dangerous precedent. Ignoring or downplaying such behavior will discourage more women from pursuing political careers, creating an environment where they feel unsafe, unsupported, and undervalued. This would be a major setback for Nigeria’s national goals of gender equality and democratic development.


In conclusion, the actions of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the broader issue of harassment in Nigerian politics must be addressed with urgency and seriousness. Failure to do so will hinder women’s participation in politics and have long-term negative effects on Nigeria’s pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society. The recent allegations against Senate President Akpabio, brought to light by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, are deeply troubling, with far-reaching implications for women’s involvement in Nigerian politics. This incident threatens to reverse the progress made in advancing gender equality and encouraging women to pursue political careers.


Tijjani Sarki

Vice President, Human Rights Watch Foundation, Nigeria

03/03/2025

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