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Summary
Women in Nigeria keep facing gender biases and systemic barriers affecting their active participation in politics, policy and governance both in elected and appointed offices.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central senatorial district, raised her voice in protest against the unauthorised relocation of her seat. The national house of assembly erupted in a flurry of activity as Senator Natasha stood her ground, refusing to move to a newly assigned seat. She argued that her privileges were being infringed upon, referencing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which safeguards the privileges of all members.
Upon entering the red chamber, Senator Natasha noticed that her nameplate was absent from her usual seat; nonetheless, she proceeded to take her customary position. Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, who represents the Borno North senatorial district, highlighted to Senator Goodswill Akpabio what he referred to as Natasha’s “improper seating position.”
Senator Natasha pressed once more for an explanation regarding the alteration of her seat without her approval, resulting in a tense exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio took decisive action by instructing the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber, “Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” cautioning that failure to comply with his demand for silence could result in suspension. As security personnel tried to escort her away, her microphone was muted, yet she stood her ground, emphasising the silencing and marginalisation of her voice and that of her district. She boldly asserts, “Mr senate president, I am not afraid of you, I have taken a whole lot from you, I will let Nigerians know how you have discriminated against me, maligned me, how you have dehumanized me..” She emphasises her commitment to her constituents and Nigerians as a whole even if it leads to her suspension.
The senator pointed out, “Your choice of words in this senate has been disrespectful to womankind. Do what you may, but I will not leave this seat,” recalling how the senate president openly rebuked using sexist remarks when she spoke last July, stating, “You see Senator Natasha, in the chamber, you have to be recognized before you speak. We’re not in a nightclub.”
As tensions rose, a number of senators stepped in, calling for a return to calmness. Senators hailing from Kogi State, with Senator Isah Jibrin of Kogi East at the forefront, made a heartfelt appeal for understanding. Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele from Ekiti Central and fellow colleagues worked diligently to ease the rising tensions.
During the session, Senator Isah Jibrin invoked Order 42 to provide personal explanations, offering an apology on behalf of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and explaining that the change of seats was due to recent resignations and reassignments.
Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, stood firm in his defence of the seat reallocation process, citing how they came to her defence when she faced electoral challenges and attacks, labelling Natasha’s response as unnecessary, pressing her to offer an apology. “When she came in, we extended an arm of friendship to her, we loved her too much. I don’t know why she turned the place upside down,” he added.
Senator Akpabio stepped in once again deescalating the matter and calling for a truce, “Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy,” he added.
Highlighting that the process of seat reallocation is standard procedure and regulated by the Senate’s Standing Orders, Akpabio made it clear that senators are required to address the chamber from their designated seats, although any alterations are subject to the Senate President’s authority. “I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution”.
The video of the incident which has been making rounds online has sparked several reactions as several social media users accused Senator Akpabio of bullying Senator Natasha as she is protesting the same issue of sit allocation which he Senator Akpabio once protested before coming senate president.
Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, the gubernatorial candidate from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the recent Kogi State election, has condemned the action of the senate president stating “In his roles as a former Governor, Minister, and now Senate President, Akpabio has a responsibility to advocate for unity and fairness, transcending gender, background, or political affiliations.”As a former Governor, Minister, and now Senate President, Akpabio should promote unity and fairness regardless of gender, background, or political affiliations. Unfortunately, his constant bullying of Senator Natasha is both unacceptable and disappointing — and it must stop,” Ajaka also terms the incident as a “display of legislative autocracy and rascality” on the part Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In the Federal Republic of Nigeria, women make up 49.4% of the population but only 3 out of 109 senators, 17 out of 360 members of the House of Representatives, and 7 out of 48 ministers are women. Senator Natasha’s case is not an outliers as the ministerial screening of Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister of state for foreign affairs, also demonstrates the systemic gender biases and sociocultural barriers that restrict women’s participation and undermine their voices, experiences, safety, and empowerment. In politics, policy, and governance, women are purposefully marginalised and silenced. This lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion has affected policies and decisions that frequently do not take into account the needs, experiences, and rights of women in Nigeria. Additionally, it has resulted in a lack of inclusivity in governance, a rise in political apathy/indifference towards women and the promotion of gender inequality.
