The Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), a well-known women’s rights advocacy group, has strongly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for displaying clear disrespect towards female senators.
The group’s condemnation arises from recent incidents in which Akpabio disregarded Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, cautioning her that the Senate is not a “nightclub.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has faced condemnation from the women’s rights advocacy group, Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), for his disrespectful behavior towards female senators.
The group expressed their concerns over incidents where Akpabio dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe. In a statement issued on Monday, VIEW expressed strong disapproval of the Senate President’s conduct.
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.’
Senator Akpabio’s recent dismissal of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not an isolated incident of disrespectful behavior.
He had previously silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similar dismissive manner, highlighting a concerning pattern of conduct.
“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.”
, a well-known women's rights advocacy group, has strongly criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for displaying clear disrespect towards female senators.){kind=link}