By Fatima Saka
Across the world, women continue to face stereotypes in the workplace, and politics is no exception. In Nigeria National Assembly, where the Senate consists of 109 members, only three states including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have produced four female senators.
This stark underrepresentation underscores the ongoing challenges women face in political leadership.
The four female senators currently serving are:
Sen. Ireti Kingibe – FCT Senatorial District (Labour Party)
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan Natasha – Kogi Central Senatorial District (PDP)
Sen. Idiat Oluranti Adebule – Lagos West Senatorial District (APC)
Sen. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo – Rivers West Senatorial District (PDP)
Despite their limited numbers, these women are often perceived as weak in legislative matters. The recent controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raises critical concerns about gender bias in Nigerian politics.
A Clash in the Senate: Akpoti-Uduaghan vs. Akpabio
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate leadership of planning to suspend her following a heated dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
During a telephone interview with Brekete Family, a human rights radio station in Abuja, she claimed that she had been subjected to systemic exclusion and harassment since joining the Senate.
“I Have Been Through a Lot”
The dispute began when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered her assigned seat had been relocated without her consent. She resisted the change, insisting on sitting in her original position. A viral video captured her standing her ground, boldly telling Akpabio, “I’m not afraid of you.”
Speaking on Brekete Family, she revealed that she had been stripped of several privileges, including participation in international engagements.
“Since the nightclub incident last year, I have been removed from many international activities. I was even taken off a UN event I was nominated for, with claims that I should not be promoted internationally. Every event I have attended since then has been self-funded.”
Regarding the Senate altercation, she maintained that she did not act out of order.
“He was reading my suspension, and I had to invoke Order 10, which is an order of privilege. Instead of suspending me immediately, Senate rules state that if I am found at fault, the matter should be referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee. That’s what I did.”
Background of the Dispute
The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was moved from the second-to-last row in the minority section to the last row—without her consent. In protest, she refused to move, which the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, deemed a violation of Senate rules.
Citing Section 6(1) of the Senate Standing Rules, Monguno argued that the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats, especially due to recent defections by opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He warned that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action, including suspension.
Akpabio upheld Monguno’s position, denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak. When she continued to raise her hand in protest, Akpabio muted her microphone and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber.
Allegations of Harassment and Exclusion
Beyond the seating dispute, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed she has faced continuous harassment and deliberate exclusion from Senate activities.
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“I have been through a lot but kept quiet to avoid misinterpretation or legal trouble. I just want the chance to work,” she said.
She accused Senate leadership of systematically revoking her privileges, including blocking her from key international engagements.
“After the nightclub incident, I was sidelined. Even a United Nations event I was supposed to attend—one I was nominated for—was taken away from me. I was told I wouldn’t be promoted internationally. Since then, every trip I have taken has been self-sponsored.”
Implications for Representation
If Akpoti-Uduaghan is suspended, it effectively means that her entire constituency is being denied representation in the Senate. This raises an important question: Is she being targeted as an individual, or is this a broader attempt to suppress female voices in Nigerian politics?
For decades, women in politics have had to prove themselves repeatedly, facing barriers their male counterparts do not. The question remains-how long will female representation be treated as inferior?
