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By Lukman Olabiyi
A northern Nigerian women’s group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has condemned Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly making disrespectful comments to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during a recent plenary session.
In a statement, VIEW denounced Akpabio’s remarks, labeling them as disrespectful and indicative of gender bias. The statement, entitled: “Restoring Integrity: The Imperative of Respecting Female Senators in Nigeria’s Democracy,” asserted that Akpabio’s comments were not isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of reinforcing gender hierarchies and silencing female voices in political spaces.
The group highlighted a previous incident where Akpabio allegedly silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similar manner, suggesting a troubling trend.
The statement criticised the Senate President for comparing a female senator’s conduct to “nightclub behavior,” describing such remarks as sexist and an attempt to undermine her credibility as a political figure.
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VIEW argued that these actions degrade the integrity of the Senate and contribute to a culture of disrespect toward women.
The statement was signed by prominent figures including Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation; Nguyan Shaku Feese, Senior Strategic Adviser for the DFID Funded Teacher Development Programme; Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative; Amina Salihu, Deputy Director, Nigeria, MacArthur Foundation and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Co-Founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation.
Other notable signatories included Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of the Neem Foundation; Ene Ede, a gender activist and advisor; Maryam Uwais, former Special Advisor on Social Investments to President Muhammadu Buhari; Kadaria Ahmed, Nigerian journalist and CEO of Radio Now; and Aisha Waziri, co-founder of Revive Nigeria Group.
The coalition, with members from North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria, said it is committed to promoting equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women nationwide. It emphasised the importance of respecting all voices in a democracy, regardless of gender. VIEW warned that dismissive and misogynistic attitudes toward female leaders stifle diverse perspectives essential for effective policymaking and discourage women’s political participation.
VIEW concluded by calling for further actions to address the issue and promote ethical conduct in public life.
