Godswill Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come under intense criticism following his heated exchange with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during last Thursday’s plenary session. Activist and legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju has warned Akpabio to desist from harassing female senators or risk being placed on a visa ban by foreign embassies.
The controversy erupted when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered her Senate seat had been reassigned without her consent, prompting a confrontation with Akpabio.
“Since the nightclub incident, you have been disrespecting me. How can you change my seat without informing me? I am not afraid of you!” she protested.
Akpabio, in response, ordered her removal from the chamber but later backed down as the senator took her new seat. Despite calls from some lawmakers for disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio declined.
However, Adeyanju condemned the Senate President’s actions, labeling them a pattern of discrimination against female senators. He recalled a similar incident involving Senator Ireti Kingibe, insisting that women in the Senate are being treated unfairly.
“It is unacceptable that female senators are treated as second-class citizens while their male counterparts receive better treatment. Akpabio’s repeated harassment of women must stop,” Adeyanju declared.
He further stated that if the targeting of female lawmakers continues, a petition will be filed with international embassies to impose a travel ban on Akpabio and his family.
“Leadership should be about fairness and respect. If Akpabio continues this pattern of behavior, we will have no choice but to take action at the international level.”
The development has reignited debates over gender bias and fairness in Nigerian politics, with many calling for greater protection and respect for female lawmakers.