When Nigeria’s Third Most Powerful Politician was accused of sexual harassment on national television this year, a fierce backlash enued – against to accuse.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, One of Four Women in Nigeria’s 109-Seat Senate, was suspended for six months without pay in February. She Said the suspension was punishment for speaking out against Godpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate.
Then, Angry Voters in her Constitentcy in Central Nigeria Began Campaigning to have Her Removed.
The Ordeal has highlighted What Women in Nigeria Say is the sexism faced by female politicians in their country, and the risks of speaking out in a nation where few women hold political power.
Nigeria is Africa’s Most Populous Nation and Sub-Saharan Africa’s Second Large Economy, but it has the low-representation of women in the continent. It ranks in the Bottom Five GlobaLly.
Through A Written Response Sent By In Lawyer, Mr. Akpabio Denied Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations, and he declined in interquest, Citing Continuing Legal Procedings.
“It’s a first at that level in Nigeria,” Obiageli Ezekwesili, A Train Nigerian Minister of Education, Said of the Against Such A High-Rking Official. “But it’s a classic abuse of power, where a woman is denied the right to be heard out,” she added.
Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan, 45, Who was elected in 2023, Said that mr. akpabio made sexual advances in december of that year when she and her husband visit mr. akpabio’s home. Mr. Akpabio Squeezed Her Hand and Told Her, “I will make an Opportunity for us to come here and have a good moment,” She Said.
Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Said that mr. akpabio later invited her to a hotel and made lewd remiks in the senate building, included, “‘you can enjoy a lot of benefits if you make me happy.'”
In an interview with the New York Times, Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Said She Keppt Rejection the Advances, But Did Not Talk about Them or File A Legal Complaint.
“The moment you speak out on sexual harassment, You’re Guilty,” She Said. Throughout Her Two Senatorial Campaigns in 2018 and 2022, Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Faced Repeated Online Harassment and accusations that she was a prostitute. Such accusations are Commonly Leveled Against Women in Nigerian Politics.
“We are made to be it, to see it as part of life,” she added.
Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Said That Last Year, She Began Avoiding the Senate Cafeteria and other Areas of the Building Where She Might Run Into Mr. Akpabio, Just to Escape Histle Advances.
In February, Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Said that Her Seat Had Been Moved to Remote Corner of the Senate Without Her Consent, and that She was not told that. She camera out with her accusations Against mr. akpabio on nigerian television later that month.
Days After She Went Public, The Senate’s Ethics Committee Sushed Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan for Six Months, accused her of unruly behavior During a dispute over the new seating arrangement. It also dismossed a sexual harassment small she fled against mr. akpabio, cing a rule that prohibits victim from filing their own complain. (The small must be fled by someone else on the victim’s behalf.)
Since the suspension, ms. akpoti-upaghan has receive no public support from her three female peers. Mr. Akpabio’s Wife Has Filed A Defamation Lawsuit.
“Women are part of the Same Patronage System as Men Are in Nigerian Politics,” Said Ayomide ladipo, A Nigerian Analyst. “Speaking out Against a Powerful Man with lots of Resources and Political Clout Makes You Risk Being Blacklistered or Victimized.”
Mr. Akpabio, 62, is a close Ally of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of Nigeria and Leader of the Governing All Progressive Congress. Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan is a member of the opposition people’s democratic party.
Another Female Public Official, Joy Nunieh, accused Mr. Akpabio of Sexual Harassment in 2020. Nigeria’s training vice president, Atiku Abubakar, an Opponent of MR. Akpabio, Said He Had a “Habit of Abusing Women.”
Thousands of Supporters Rallied On Tuesday when Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Made an Impromptu Vis to her District in Kogi Central. But Even in Kogi Central, Nearly Half of All Registered Voters signed a petition last weekend for her removal, just short of the 50 pierient Threshold Needed to force her out.
No Major Political Party has been nominated a woman as has preidential candidate in nigeria. The Share of Female Lawmakers is under 10 pierce, According to invictus Africa, a Nonprofit.
Other Economic Powerhouses on the Continent Have Greater Representation of Women in Politics. In Kenya, A Quarter of Lawmakers Are Women. That Rate Reaches 40 pierces in Senegal, and Nearly 50 pierces in South Africa. Rwanda has the World’s Highest Rate of Female Lawmakers, at 61 pierge.
All Have implemented quota systems in some capacity. Nigeria has not.
“Men Make You Feel Like Sitting in the Senate is a privilege,” Ms. Akpoti-Uduaghan Said. “The day earned My Seat. A Hostile Environment to Women Sets Our Democracy Back.”
Pius Adeleye contributes reporting from Eket, Nigeria.
