A group of prominent Nigerian women leaders has called for an immediate investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, demanding his temporary removal and a comprehensive review of the Senate’s internal practices.
In a statement released on March 3rd, the Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, citing complaints from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Their statement says it goes beyond a single incident, arguing that the Senate has a deeper problem with how it treats women lawmakers.
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The group, which includes well-known Nigerian leaders like Maryam Uwais and Kadaria Ahmed, wants Akpabio to temporarily “step aside” while an independent and transparent investigation takes place. They also want a complete review of Senate rules that they believe give too much power to the Senate President.
“Such serious accusations cannot be ignored,” the group stated, highlighting that this is not the first time such allegations have been made against Akpabio. They argue that women in the Senate are consistently sidelined and face unfair treatment.
The women leaders believe this is about more than one incident. They want to change the entire culture of the Senate, making it a more fair and inclusive workplace for women politicians.
The Senate has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
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