The Federal Government has announced plans to mediate in the unfolding leadership crisis within the National Assembly following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, made this known on Friday while addressing State House correspondents during the Meet-the-Press Programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“We’re engaging all stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy,” Suleiman-Ibrahim stated, emphasizing the importance of fairness and the need to maintain women’s representation in the legislature.
The intervention comes in response to the Senate’s decision to suspend Natasha for six months after she filed a petition alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate’s ethics committee recommended her suspension, citing procedural violations and claims that her petition had brought ridicule to the chamber.
Growing Outrage and Coalition Mobilization
The suspension has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among women’s advocacy groups, who see it as an attack on democracy and gender representation in leadership.
A coalition of organizations, including the Coalition for Women in Governance and the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ), has rejected the decision and vowed to stage mass protests unless it is reversed.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Zainab Mohammed, a leading voice in the coalition, condemned the Senate’s action, labeling it a direct attack on the democratic rights of Nigerian citizens.
“The Senate’s decision is not just an injustice against one woman; it is an attack on the democratic rights of the people she represents. This is a dangerous precedent that sends a message to every Nigerian who dares to challenge power,” Mohammed said.
She further demanded the immediate reinstatement of Natasha, arguing that the suspension defied a court order prohibiting disciplinary action against the senator.
Similarly, the President and Founder of the Pan African Young Women Development Initiative, Dr. Jophia Gupar, lamented the implications of the Senate’s move on gender equality and women’s participation in politics.
“It is not about Natasha; it is about Nigerian women. The implication of what these senators are doing is discouraging our women from speaking out when they are harassed,” Gupar noted.
She also criticized the three female senators for their silence on the issue, warning that history would judge them for failing to support their colleague.
Minister Advocates for Peace
Despite the growing tensions, the Minister of Women Affairs has expressed optimism that the crisis can be resolved amicably.
“I was at the National Assembly yesterday, at the Senate where we marked the International Women’s Day. The last thing the Senate President said was that ‘we’re open to broker peace,’” she said.
Suleiman-Ibrahim affirmed her commitment to acting as an intermediary between the two parties and emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative environment between male and female lawmakers.
Public Backlash and Online Petition
Meanwhile, a petition demanding the resignation of Senate President Akpabio has gained significant traction online.
Spearheaded by the Purple Women Foundation, founded by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, the petition had gathered over 13,000 signatures as of Friday.
Supporters argue that Akpabio must step aside to allow for an independent investigation into Natasha’s allegations.
The foundation’s statement read, “Justice must be served, and this cannot happen if the accused continues to hold a position of power while investigations are ongoing.”
Call for Fair Hearing and Gender Equality
WIMBIZ, in a separate statement, decried the treatment of Natasha, citing the lack of due process and calling for a fair hearing.
“As the world marks International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Accelerate Action,’ there is a need for urgent steps to achieve gender equality, address the slow pace of progress, and empower women and girls worldwide,” the statement read.
The association further emphasized that Natasha’s case highlights the systemic barriers faced by women in leadership and urged the Senate to reconsider its decision.
The Federal Government’s intervention signals the possibility of a resolution, but with mounting public pressure and threats of protests, the outcome remains uncertain.
For now, Nigerians await the next move by the National Assembly and whether justice will be served in a case that could shape the future of women’s participation in governance.
