NILOWV DEMANDS AKPABIO’S RESIGNATION OVER GENDER BIAS, DISRESPECT TO WOMEN IN NIGERIA.
By Raymond Enoch
Abuja, Nigeria – The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has issued a strong call for the immediate resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing concerns over what they describe as entrenched patriarchy and misogyny within Nigeria’s political institutions.
In a scathing statement, NILOWV condemned Senator Akpabio’s treatment of Senator Natacha Akpoti Uduaghan, who was recently silenced and forcefully removed from the Senate chamber. The organization described the act as a flagrant abuse of power and an attack on democratic values. NILOWV further recalled an earlier incident where Senator Akpabio allegedly demeaned Senator Uduaghan with a nightclub reference and similarly shut down Senator Ireti Kingibe on the Senate floor.
With only four women among 109 senators, NILOWV argues that female legislators should be given full moral and institutional support rather than facing hostility from the Senate leadership. The group asserted that Akpabio’s actions reflect a lack of emotional intelligence required for such a high office, pointing out that both the Senate and House of Representatives currently have no women in leadership roles.
“This is not just an issue of Senator Akpabio’s behavior; it is a symptom of a larger problem—the marginalization of women in Nigeria’s political landscape,” said NILOWV President Irene Awunah-Ikyegh. “We need an inclusive democracy that empowers women, not one that silences them.”
The organization expressed deep concerns over the implications of this behavior, particularly regarding the pending Special Seats Bill, which aims to enhance women’s representation in governance. NILOWV questioned whether a Senate President who has shown “blatant disregard” for women’s rights can fairly oversee legislation designed to promote gender inclusivity.
NILOWV is calling on civil society organizations, women’s groups, and the general public to rally behind their demand for Akpabio’s resignation. “This is not just a women’s issue—it is a democratic issue,” the statement emphasized. “We must not allow a leader who undermines the voices of women to continue presiding over our democracy.”
The organization also urged the National Assembly to take definitive action against gender-based violence and discrimination within Nigeria’s political system, emphasizing the need for a zero-tolerance policy against any form of political intimidation or suppression.
As NILOWV intensifies its advocacy, the demand for Akpabio’s resignation is likely to fuel broader conversations on the urgent need for gender equity in Nigeria’s political and legislative spheres.
