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Summary
A Nigerian women's group, led by Sabina Idowu-Osehobo, has condemned the Senate's summons of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a deliberate attempt to silence female political voices.
On Feb. 25, 2025, the concerned women’s group, a civic society, stated its convener, Sabina Idowu-Osehobbo, swore to safeguard the rights of women in leadership and rally for a nationwide protest if the Senate forges ahead with what they characterise as unfair treatment.
She voiced strong indignation over the Nigerian Senate’s decision to summon Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before a disciplinary panel. There was a firm warning that suspending her would provoke a major backlash.
Sabina stated that Nigerian women would rise up against any attempt to silence a powerful female voice unfairly.
“We have come too far to allow regressive tactics to push us back into the margins of decision-making.”
The Civic Society called on President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene immediately to stop political victimisation.
They urged the Senate to address critical national issues, not silence dissent, and that democracy demands the protection of diverse voices, particularly those of underrepresented groups.
The statement read, “This latest development, spearheaded by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reinforces growing concerns that there is a deliberate effort to silence women in Nigeria’s political landscape. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a fearless advocate for the people and one of only three female senators in the 10th National Assembly is being targeted for standing up for truth and representing her constituents with unwavering commitment.
“We find it alarming that rather than fostering an inclusive and fair legislative environment, the Senate leadership is focusing its energies on suppressing a duly elected representative.”
Sabina expressed that the summons was unjust and appeared to be a component of a larger plan to bully and remove women from political influence.
“It is unacceptable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who speaks boldly for her people and addresses issues affecting Nigerians, is being punished for performing her constitutional duties. Such actions undermine the democratic principles on which our nation was built.”
The concerned group further reiterated their stance, with Senator Natasha further saying,
“Democracy thrives on the inclusion of diverse perspectives, and efforts to suppress any senator-particularly one representing the minority gender in the chamber must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
