Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized Nigerian leaders for failing to create an environment that enables women to thrive and contribute to the country’s development.
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this statement on Friday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in response to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) by the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on Thursday for allegedly flouting Senate rules after she rejected a new seating position assigned to her and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during a live television broadcast. Atiku described the Senate’s decision as an attack on affirmative action.
“Has there been an investigation? No. So, Atiku’s position hasn’t changed. Whichever way you look at this, there is a concern. Any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing,” he said.
“About half of our population is women, and if we don’t deliberately create an environment conducive to promoting women’s interests—whether in politics, business, or any other human endeavour—we are underutilising our potential. We’re not providing half of our population the opportunities to thrive and add value to society. With International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, it raises serious concerns. The Senate’s action of suspending Natasha for six months without conducting an investigation is an attack on affirmative action.”
The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also expressed his disapproval of the situation. Speaking through his ex-media aide and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, Obi lamented the development.
“The situation is quite disappointing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Timothy Osadolor, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for not stepping down to allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him. Osadolor described the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan as shameful. He also criticized opposition lawmakers for failing to speak out and make their voices heard during the incident.
“The Senate President should have excused himself; he wasn’t truly a man of integrity. He should have stepped aside and allowed the investigation to proceed. I was deeply moved by this, and I’m sure every person of goodwill would be as well,” Osadolor stated.
“Natasha could have been our sister, our wife, our daughter, or our mother. To see them all gang up and use state power and bureaucracy to silence her voice is shameful. For me, it was even more shameful for the opposition members on the floor of the Senate. They failed to speak up when it mattered. They were trying to stay in Akpabio’s good books. Looking at the whole situation, no one could stand up to be counted because they didn’t want to be kicked out or labelled as rebels. It’s a shame. But I believe Natasha has made her points. Though the majority will have their way, the minority will also have their day.”
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked widespread criticism, with many condemning the Senate’s decision as an affront to gender equality and the principles of fair representation. The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and the need for systemic reforms to ensure their voices are heard and respected.
