A coalition of civil society groups advocating for women’s rights,Womanifesto has condemned in strong terms the outburst of the Senate President, ,Godswill Akpabio against Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan on Thursday 18 July 2024.
In a statement signed by the NGOs including Action aid Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria, and 9jafeminista , they described the Senate as Patriarchal and polarized along gender lines.
The group further said “it is highly disappointing that Senator Akpabio
displayed utter disrespect and disregard with his choice of words and demeanor while addressing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan”.
“In a Senate that is highly patriarchal and polarized along gender lines, Senator Akpabio
has taken his pitch against women a notch too far”
According to the group,Senator Akpabio had shut down Senator Natasha using the words ‘ this is not a nightclub ‘. An expression which they described as derogatory. They further said he had also spoken in a condescending manner to Senator Ireti Kingibe while resolving an issue between her and the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike.
They therefore demand an immediate and unequivocal retraction by the Senate President.
See full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESaturday 20th July 2024
WOMANIFESTO CONDEMNS SENATOR AKPABIO’S OURBURST AGAINST SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI
Womanifesto condemns in strong terms, the condescending manner in which the Senate President Godswill Akpabio addresses female senators, especially his demeaning outburst against Senator Natasha Akpoti
Uduaghan during plenary on Thursday 18th July, 2024. It is highly disappointing that Senator Akpabio
displayed utter disrespect and disregard with his choice of words and demeanor while addressing Senator
Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a Senate that is highly patriarchal and polarized along gender lines, Senator Akpabio
has taken his pitch against women a notch too far.
Womanifesto is a coalition of over 300 women rights groups, activists and advocates. We note with dismay
the disparaging words used in an attempt to shut down a fellow Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
with the derogatory words – “we are not in a night club”. The best interpretation of this shallow outburst
suggests that women deserve to speak only at ‘nightclubs’. It also unintelligently suggests that people who
go to night clubs are inferior.
We believe that the honorable President of the Senate should understand that
both men and women in all walks of life go to nightclubs, and this does not reduce their capability for
leadership.
We, therefore, demand an immediate and unequivocal apology from Senate President Goodwill Akpabio. His statement reflects a deeply rooted misogynistic attitude that has no place in our society or our governmental
institutions.
It is imperative that our leaders exemplify the highest standards of conduct and respect towards
all, irrespective of gender.
This incident highlights a persistent trend of gender discrimination and verbal harassment in our political
institutions, which should be spaces of respect, equality, and professionalism.
Senator Akpabio had in recent
times also condescendingly addressed Senator Ireti Kingibe while addressing the dispute between her and
Minister of the FCT Mr Nyesom Wike. In the words of the Senate President to Wike “please ignore every
distraction (from her) and be rest assured that no matter what you do, not everyone will praise you. Others
will still try to find faults”.
Such language is not only demeaning but also undermines the significant contributions of women in governance and public service.
This affront against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is an affront to all women in Nigeria and especially to our
girls who have to surmount myriads of challenges and set backs against equality and gender parity. We will not tolerate any attempt to reduce or shut up women within spaces where they not only belong, but deserve
to thrive by merit.
As the third-in-command in Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio wields great influence. We expect that he
will use his influence positively, not to stifle women and girls who make up about 50% of the Nigerian
population. It is not enough to make grand speeches on International Women’s Day or The Day of the Girl
Child. We call on the Senate President to walk the talk, and show a good example by retracting his words
and apologizing for this grave lapse.
Signed by
9jafeminista
Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls
Above Whispers Foundation
Action Aid Nigeria
ACTS Generation GBV
Ade Grange Child Foundation
ADEM Community Human Development Foundation
Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
Ajegunle Community Project
Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation
Alliances for AFAica (AfA)
Amazing Grace Inspirations
Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
Amnesty International Nigeria ARDA
Development Communication Inc.
Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation.
ASWHAN
Womanifesto Secretariat: C/O Women Advocate Research and Documentation
Amongst Others
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