Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has threatened to petition various embassies to place visa ban on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and his family over the harassment and ill-treatment of female senators in the National Assembly.
In a statement on Thursday night, Adeyanju who condemned Akpabio’s threat to expel Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber, accused Akpabio of treating female lawmakers like second-class representatives.
He wrote “1. Earlier today, I saw online, an unfortunate and disturbing incident involving Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Akpoti, Senator representing Kogi Central and Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate. In the Viral video online, She was unjustly ordered to leave the Senate chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This egregious act of harassment is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a troubling pattern of behavior towards female senators under Akpabio’s leadership.
2. It is absolutely unacceptable and condemnable that, under the Senate President’s watch, female senators are treated as second-class representatives in a body meant to uphold the rights and dignity of all its members. The treatment faced by Senator Ireti Kingibe mirrors that which Senator Akpoti has recently endured. Such repeated harassment against female senators must no longer be tolerated.
3. One cannot help but question why Senator Akpabio consistently targets women while sparing his male counterparts from similar treatment. This glaring double standard undermines the integrity of the Senate and sends a disheartening message about the role of women in our political landscape. Women, as elected representatives of their constituencies, deserve the same respect and consideration as their male colleagues.
4. Senator Akpabio has no right to dismiss Senator Natasha Akpoti from the chamber. As an elected representative of the people of Kogi Central, she has every right to participate in discussions and debates in the Senate. The manner in which Akpabio entered the Senate as a representative is the same way Akpoti holds her position. It is imperative that we protect the rights and dignity of women in our political institutions.
5. We must advocate for a political environment where women are not only present but also feel safe and respected. The harassment of female senators is a violation of their rights and an affront to the democratic principles we claim to uphold.
6. In light of this, I call on the Senate President to cease his harassment and targeting of our female senators. If this pattern of behavior continues and he fails to stop his campaign of harassment, we will have no choice but to petition various embassies to consider placing visa bans on him and his immediate family. It is time to hold those in power accountable for their actions and ensure that the dignity of every senator, regardless of gender, is respected.
7. We demand a Senate that is equitable and just for all its members.
