Amnesty International Urges Nigerian Government to Investigate Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Senate President Akpabio
Global human rights organization Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to launch an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In a statement issued on Saturday, the organization emphasized the gravity of the allegations and stressed the need for accountability and justice.
Amnesty International warned that ignoring the allegations would perpetuate a culture of impunity, making it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to seek justice. The organization cautioned that failure to act would have devastating consequences, allowing perpetrators to evade punishment and enabling human rights violations to continue unchecked.
The statement read in part: “Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately institute an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio. The weight and scale of the allegations are a pressing reason for establishing an independent, resourceful, and impartial investigation.”
The organization further urged the National Assembly to address the allegations seriously, stating, “The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed, and ignored.” Amnesty International highlighted the broader implications of inaction, noting that it would reinforce a system that discourages survivors from coming forward while allowing perpetrators to escape accountability.
“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have devastating consequences, perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations,” the statement added.
Amnesty International also addressed the pervasive culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment, where victims often fear not being believed or being blamed for the abuse. The organization stressed the urgent need to combat this culture, stating, “The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has reportedly sought support from international organizations, including the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International, to ensure her allegations are thoroughly investigated. Her case has drawn significant attention, sparking debates about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and the broader issue of sexual harassment in the country.
The allegations against Senate President Akpabio come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with widespread concerns about gender-based violence and the lack of accountability for perpetrators. Amnesty International’s intervention underscores the importance of addressing these issues transparently and decisively to uphold the rights and dignity of women.
As calls for an investigation grow, the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate its commitment to combating sexual harassment and ensuring justice for survivors. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar allegations are handled in the future, particularly within the country’s political institutions.
Amnesty International’s statement serves as a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, should be above the law, and that addressing sexual harassment is crucial to building a society that respects and protects the rights of all its citizens.
