Nigerian women under the auspices of Womanifesto are demanding justice, accountability, and an immediate public hearing following allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This was contained in a statement signed Monday in Abuja by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, co-convener of Womanifesto.
Womanifesfo a coalition comprising over 350 women’s rights groups, issued a firm call for transparency in the handling of the serious allegations leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti, with broader implications for the integrity of the National Assembly.
“We demand justice. We demand accountability. We demand the protection of Nigerian women and girls. It is in the public interest for the Senate to accede to our demand,” said Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, co-convener of Womanifesto.
“It is in the public interest for the Senate to accede to our demand,” she added, speaking on behalf of the group that spans across numerous regions and sectors across the country.
The statement highlighted several key demands, chief among them the immediate resignation of Senator Akpabio as Senate President.
“We demand that the the Senate President Godswill Akpabio steps down immediately to allow an unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment against.
“We also demand that the investigation is immediately assigned to the Ethics Committee only on the condition that the Sitting is raised to the status of a Public Hearing.
“Our demand includes an immediate independent investigation to inform the public hearing by the National Assembly’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions,” the statement reads
The call for Akpabio’s resignation follows the recent claims by Senator Akpoti, who accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during their time in the Senate. These allegations have sparked a political firestorm, with many seeing them as symptomatic of larger issues within the Senate.
“This is a grave allegation that cannot be dismissed,” the statement emphasized, drawing attention to Akpoti’s repeated public statements on the matter.
The situation is not entirely new. In 2020, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh, made similar allegations against Akpabio while he was Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The accusations against Akpabio are not isolated, and the gravity of the claims has amplified calls for serious intervention by both the public and legislative bodies.
“While the initial public outburst and escalation of conflict between Senators Akpoti and Akpabio were serious enough to warrant a call for an investigation, the latest twist has accentuated the necessity for a more urgent action,” the statement reads, underscoring the significance of the issue and its potential consequences for Nigeria’s political landscape.
Womanifesfo which includes leading Nigerian women’s rights advocates and activists, argues that the investigation into these allegations must be carried out by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. However, they are demanding that the committee elevate the sitting to the status of a public hearing, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the process.
“The Senate must act appropriately, publicly and with urgency,” the group states, pointing out that the credibility of Nigeria’s National Assembly is now at stake. “We understand that this original conflict was referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review. At this stage, we consider this initial response by the Senate as no longer adequate.”
The national conversation surrounding this issue is compounded by concerns over the underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics. Nigeria is currently ranked at the bottom of African countries in terms of women’s representation in national parliaments, with only 4 women out of 109 Senators, representing just 3.67%. The House of Representatives fares similarly, with only 14 women out of 360 members, making up a mere 3.9%.
“The underrepresentation of women in public decision-making is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed,” the coalition’s statement reads. “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is at an alarming rate, with statistics showing that 1 in 3 women, across social strata, have experienced violence in their lifetime. This is why this issue cannot be taken lightly.”
The coalition is also calling for an independent investigation to complement the efforts of the Senate Committee, ensuring that the public is fully informed and that justice is served impartially. The proposed public hearing would allow for a thorough examination of the allegations, with full transparency to restore trust in the National Assembly’s ability to act with integrity.
“This unfortunate incident is a core learning moment for all Nigerians, especially as it concerns the protection of women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence,” the statement concluded, urging all Nigerians to view the crisis as an opportunity for reform. “The National Assembly must recognize that it is equally on trial before the whole nation.”
The women’s rights groups are resolute in their commitment to ensuring that Nigerian women’s voices are heard and respected, both within the halls of the National Assembly and in broader society. As the calls for justice intensify, Nigerians await the Senate’s next steps, hoping for a fair and transparent process that can serve as a model for accountability and respect for women’s rights across the country.
The Womanifesto coalition has pledged to continue their advocacy until the demands for justice are met, emphasizing that this is not just a political issue but a fundamental human rights concern. “We stand resiliently against all forms of sexual harassment and intimidation of women in their public and private lives,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi declared.
