Tensions have escalated in Nigeria’s political landscape as the ongoing conflict between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took another turn.
Today, a group of women protesters under the aegis of the Women for Change Vanguard took to the United Nations office in Abuja to challenge Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
The protest comes on the heels of a legal battle, media exchanges, and mounting political drama following the suspension of the Kogi Central senator from the Nigerian Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier accused Akpabio of political victimization after being suspended for six months without pay, alleging that the Senate leadership was punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
The Protest and Its Demands
Chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners with messages such as “We believe in actual victims of sexual harassment, not people who weaponize it” and “The burden of proof lies with the accuser,” the protesters called on Akpoti-Uduaghan to provide evidence to support her claims.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Irene Umoh, the leader of the Women for Change Vanguard, addressed representatives of the United Nations in Abuja, arguing that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations risked undermining the fight against gender-based violence if they were not substantiated with credible proof.
“This is not the first time Senator Natasha has made serious allegations against a prominent figure.
Such actions risk becoming a weapon she wields against men in power, undermining the core principles of our fight against sexual violence,” Umoh said.
She further stressed that false accusations could harm both the accused and genuine survivors of sexual violence, urging the suspended senator to present concrete evidence.
“Our peaceful protest today is not merely about demanding justice. It is also about holding both parties accountable.
Senator Akpabio must have the opportunity to clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must provide evidence that she was sexually abused,” Umoh stated.
The Allegations and the Political Fallout
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s troubles began on March 6 when she was suspended from the Senate following a heated confrontation over a seating arrangement dispute.
She later escalated her grievances by presenting her case at a United Nations forum, the International Parliamentary Union, alleging that her suspension was politically motivated and connected to her refusal to submit to Akpabio’s alleged advances.
The senator’s decision to take the issue to an international audience sparked controversy and deepened the rift between her and the Senate leadership.
In response, she filed a contempt charge against Akpabio and other lawmakers involved in her suspension, claiming that their actions violated her rights as a democratically elected representative.
Akpabio and his allies, however, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. The Senate’s official position has been that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for misconduct and not for making harassment allegations. They argue that the senator’s actions are an attempt to garner public sympathy and divert attention from the real issues surrounding her suspension.
The Broader Implications
This controversy highlights broader concerns about gender dynamics in Nigerian politics and society. Sexual harassment allegations, particularly against powerful men, often become highly politicized, with both accusers and the accused facing intense public scrutiny.
The protest by the Women for Change Vanguard underscores concerns that false allegations could be weaponized for political or personal gain, potentially damaging the credibility of genuine cases.
However, critics argue that public pressure for victims to present immediate proof can discourage survivors from coming forward, especially in a legal and cultural environment where such cases are difficult to prove.
The United Nations Senior Human Rights Advisor, Adwoa Kufuor, who received the petition from the protesting women, promised to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters within the organization.
This development suggests that the controversy may continue to attract both national and international attention.
As the situation unfolds, several questions remain unanswered: Will Akpoti-Uduaghan provide additional evidence to support her claims?
How will the courts handle her contempt charges against Akpabio and the Senate? Will the protests influence public opinion or shift the trajectory of the dispute?
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of this saga. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, the case raises important discussions about justice, accountability, and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics.
