‘Disheartening display of disrespect’ – women group slams Akpabio over disregard for female senators

A women’s advocacy group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has rebuked senate president, Godswill Akpabio, for his public disrespect of female colleagues in the upper chamber.

Last week, Akpabio told Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, not to speak like she was in a “nightclub”.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had spoken without being recognised by the senate president and was scolded by Akpabio despite acknowledging her error.

Before the incident, Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was shut down by the senate president when she protested her exclusion from the affairs of the nation’s capital.

In union statement released on Monday, VIEW said every voice must be respected, regardless of gender, in a democracy. It said Akpbio is championing a disturbing trend.

“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 behaviour suited to ‘a nightclub’,” the statement reads.

“This is not the first instance of such behaviour 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.”