I strongly condemn the unjust decision by the Senate Ethics Committee to dismiss Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on procedural grounds and, even more egregiously, to suspend her for six months. This is not just an attack on one individual—it is an assault on truth, accountability, and the fight for a more just and equitable Nigeria.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan courageously raised allegations of misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Rather than ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation, the Senate has chosen to silence the accuser while shielding the accused. This dangerous precedent discourages victims of harassment and abuse from speaking out and further erodes public trust in our democratic institutions.
The hypocrisy in this case is glaring. Time and again, we have seen powerful men evade scrutiny despite serious allegations, while women who dare to challenge the status quo are punished into silence. When former Senator Dino Melaye openly threatened Senator Oluremi Tinubu in 2016, no such punitive measures were taken against him. This selective application of justice exposes the entrenched double standards that continue to plague our political system.
This injustice is even more appalling given the gross underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics. Women hold just 4.47% of seats in the National Assembly, with only 8 female senators out of 109 and 13 female representatives out of 360. Instead of working to increase female participation in governance, this decision further discourages women from stepping forward. The message it sends is clear: women in leadership will be punished for speaking up, while powerful men remain protected.
At a time when we should be fighting for greater female representation in politics, this act of suppression takes us backward. Women in leadership should be protected, not persecuted. Their voices should be amplified, not silenced. The fight for gender equity in governance is not just a women’s struggle—it is a national imperative.
I call on civil society organizations, legal professionals, and all Nigerians who believe in justice to resist this blatant abuse of power. The Senate must immediately reinstate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and launch a transparent investigation into her claims. Anything less reinforces a culture of impunity that undermines the very foundation of our democracy.
No individual—no matter how powerful—should be above the law. If we are to move forward as a nation, we must ensure that justice is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right guaranteed to all.
Amb. Aliyu Bin Abbas
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