Concerns heighten over Akpabio, Natasha’s conflict

Public concerns have intensified over the ongoing conflict between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, with notable figures weighing in on the controversy.

The altercation, which stemmed from a dispute over seating arrangements in the Red Chamber, has reignited discussions about the treatment of female lawmakers.

The Senate had on Tuesday ordered Natasha to face the panel on the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition led by Senator Neda Imasuen, over her misconduct in the Chamber.

Renowned economist and political analyst, Pat Utomi, on Tuesday took to X to express his dismay over the issue, lamenting what he perceives as a decline in freedom of expression in Nigeria’s democratic era compared to military rule.

He criticized the egos of those in power, suggesting that past political figures have risen and fallen before, and the same fate may await current leaders

He wrote, “The Akpabio/Natasha/Berekete family matter is a painful reminder of how much freedom of expression which we thought was under assault in military rule times now evidently truly blossomed in those days compared to these civilian times.

“What a shame. Amazing thing is I knew these so called powerful people before their egos took them hostage. We have seen them come and fall before. We are likely to see so again.”

Also, former Minister of Education and human rights advocate, Oby Ezekwesili, also joined the conversation, condemning Akpabio’s leadership style and his alleged mistreatment of female senators.

Read also: Between Akpabio and Natasha: From friends to foes

In her post on X, she asserted that Akpabio had continuously humiliated female colleagues, specifically citing Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ireti Kingibe.

She further argued that his leadership was enabled by a judiciary that had failed Nigerians, allowing him to ascend to the position despite widespread concerns over his credibility.

She alleged that Akpabio had consistently humiliated his female colleagues in the Senate, citing Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ireti Kingibe as examples of those who had faced disrespect under his leadership.

She attributed his emergence as Senate President to a judiciary that had failed Nigerians.

Her remarks also drew attention to Nigeria’s poor standing in female representation in the legislature. Data from a global ranking on women’s participation in parliament places Nigeria at a dismal 4.4%, among the lowest in the world.

According to the latest figures, Nigeria has only 18 women in its 467-seat National Assembly, ranking it among the worst-performing countries in terms of gender inclusivity.

The statistics reveal that Nigeria lags behind countries such as Iran (4.8%), Sri Lanka (5.3%), and even the Solomon Islands (6.0%), where legislative structures are similarly male-dominated.

Worse still, countries like Yemen (0.3%) and Tuvalu (0.0%) are the only ones performing lower than Nigeria in the 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.

She wrote, “Is it not a shame that one day it is @NatashaAkpoti, another day @IretiKingibe and yet another day @NatashaAkpoti

that are at the receiving end of the appalling misconduct of the topmost officer of our Legislature?

“And we wonder why Nigeria shamefully places at the lowest neighborhood of the ranking of countries on Women in public leadership , specifically Legislature at 4.4%. ranking.”

Ezekwesili encouraged female lawmakers to remain steadfast in their roles, emphasizing that representation matters in governance.

“Next time Mr. Akpabio harasses any well-elected woman in the National Assembly or any woman in this country, he must get ready,” she warned.