Sexual Harassment Allegations: Women Affairs Minister to Intervene in Senator Natasha’s Suspension
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hajia Imaan Suleiman, has expressed deep concern over the sexual harassment allegations in the Senate, describing the situation as “unfortunate” and pledging to intervene to broker peace and seek an amicable resolution. The Minister’s remarks come in the wake of the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, reducing the number of female senators to just three out of 109 members.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, March 8, 2025, on the eve of International Women’s Day (IWD), Suleiman emphasized the need to protect women in politics and ensure their voices are heard in governance. She lamented the dwindling representation of women in the National Assembly and called for greater collaboration between male and female lawmakers.
Minister’s Commitment to Brokering Peace
Suleiman stated that her ministry would engage with the Senate to mediate the dispute and ensure justice is tempered with mercy. She revealed that she had already visited the National Assembly on Thursday, where she participated in events marking International Women’s Day and discussed the issue with Senate leadership.
“It’s an unfortunate incident that should not happen. In the last assembly, we had nine senators, all women; in this assembly, we have four. We don’t want to lose any members in the Senate or House of Assembly,” Suleiman said.
She added, “We want to increase the numbers. It is unfortunate; we’re going to be brokering peace. We will engage all the stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy. I was at the National Assembly yesterday at the Senate, where they marked International Women’s Day, and the last thing the President of the Senate said was that ‘we’re open to broker peace.’ So, we are going to be intermediaries between the two parties to see that we broker peace.”
Call for Increased Women’s Representation
The Minister highlighted the importance of sensitizing women in politics to foster better collaboration with their male counterparts. She reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to increasing women’s representation in governance, stressing that efforts must be accelerated to ensure women have a stronger voice in decision-making.
“It is not a good thing to lose more women in the National Assembly at a time when we are already grossly underrepresented,” Suleiman said. “We will continue to sensitize so that we can work better together as women and men. Nigeria must accelerate efforts to increase women’s representation in governance and ensure they have a seat at the table.”
Background of the Controversy
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for alleged violations of legislative rules following her public accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Her suspension has sparked widespread debate about gender equality, accountability, and the treatment of women in Nigerian politics.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader issue of women’s underrepresentation in governance. With only three female senators remaining in the 109-member Senate, stakeholders have called for urgent measures to address the gender imbalance and create a more inclusive political environment.
Implications for Gender Equality
The Minister’s intervention underscores the importance of addressing gender-based discrimination and harassment in political spaces. The case has highlighted the challenges faced by women in politics, including systemic barriers, cultural biases, and the lack of support for female leaders.
Suleiman’s commitment to brokering peace and advocating for increased women’s representation reflects the federal government’s broader agenda to promote gender equality and empower women in all sectors.
Looking Ahead
As the Women Affairs Ministry prepares to mediate the dispute, stakeholders are hopeful that the intervention will lead to a fair resolution and set a precedent for addressing similar issues in the future. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for gender equality and women’s participation in Nigerian politics.
For now, the Minister’s pledge to broker peace offers a glimmer of hope for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and other women in politics, as Nigeria continues its journey toward achieving gender parity in governance.
