ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Ex- Minister Blasts Akpabio Over Kingibe, Natasha’s Disputes As 300 Women Groups Make Shocking Demand
Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has strongly criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of misconduct towards female senators. In a statement on Monday, Ezekwesili expressed concern about Akpabio’ s alleged pattern of humiliating women in the Senate, particularly Senators Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan and Ireti Kingibe.
The controversy intensified after revelations by Parallel Facts on Saturday, where Senator Akpoti- Uduaghan spoke about harassment and exclusion in the Senate. She claimed she had been denied privileges, removed from international engagements, and even excluded from a United Nations event for which she had been nominated.
Speaking in an interview with Brekete Family, Akpoti- Uduaghan detailed how she had to fund her own trips to international events, which she believed were crucial for representing her constituents, Nigerian women, and the nation. Additionally, she alleged that her seat in the Senate was deliberately relocated to a less visible position, which she interpreted as an attempt to silence her.
These accusations have fuelled growing backlash against Akpabio, who has also been criticised for making sexist remarks about Akpoti- Uduaghan. Over 300 women’ s rights groups have since demanded an unreserved apology from the Senate President.
Reacting to the developments, Dr Ezekwesili took to social media to condemn Akpabio’ s alleged behaviour, warning that there would be consequences if he continued to harass female lawmakers.
In a strongly worded statement on her X handle, the former World Bank Vice President for Africa Region wrote: ” I tweeted last year that if not for the rottenness of our Judiciary, Nigerians would not have an @Senator_Akpabio presiding over the upper house of our @nassnigeria– the Nigerian Senate @NGRSenate. ”
She further accused Akpabio of systematically humiliating his female colleagues to satisfy his ego.
” One issue stands out. Mr Akpabio implicitly thinks that his even more accomplished female colleagues must be humiliated in order for his ego to be assuaged.
” Is it not a shame that one day it is @NatashaAkpoti, another day @IretiKingibe, and yet another day @NatashaAkpoti again at the receiving end of the appalling misconduct of the topmost officer of our Legislature? ”
Ezekwesili also highlighted Nigeria’ s poor ranking in terms of female representation in politics, pointing out that the country stands at just 4. 4% in women’ s legislative leadership.
” And we wonder why Nigeria shamefully places at the lowest neighbourhood of the ranking of countries on Women in public leadership, specifically Legislature at 4. 4%. ”
Encouraging female lawmakers, Ezekwesili urged them to remain steadfast in their roles and not allow themselves to be silenced.
” I encourage the women in public leadership to never ever lose their voice. Continue to stand strong in your commitment to citizens and prove that representation matters. All aspects of data do in fact show that representation matters a lot. ”
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She concluded with a stern warning to Akpabio, stating that he must be prepared for consequences if he continues to harass women in public office.
” Next time Mr Akpabio harasses any woman well- elected unlike him and representing her constituency @ the National Assembly or any woman at all anywhere in this country, he must get ready. Enough said. “
