Women from the North of  Nigeria have expressed strong disapproval towards the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his alleged disrespectful remarks directed at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during last week’s plenary.

In a statement released and signed by the 20-member body Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), made available to the press on Tuesday, the women condemned Akpabio’s actions as a blatant display of disrespect and gender bias.

The release, titled “Restoring Integrity: The Imperative of Respecting Female Senators in Nigeria’s Democracy,” stated, Senator Akpabio’s remarks go beyond an isolated insult; they symbolize the maintenance of gender hierarchies and the silencing of female voices in critical political spaces.”

They further noted that this is not the first instance of such behavior from Senator Akpabio; he recently silenced Senator Ireti Kingibe in a similarly dismissive manner, underscoring what they describe as a troubling pattern.

“Comparing a female senator’s parliamentary conduct to nightclub behavior is both sexist and an explicit attempt to bully and trivialize her contributions, diminishing her standing as a legitimate political actor. Such comments from the Senate President undermine the integrity of the Senate and contribute to a culture where women are undervalued and disrespected.”

Among the notable signatories were Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF); Nguyan Shaku Feese; Senior Strategic Adviser for the DFID Funded, Teacher Development Programme (TDP), Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary General of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA); Amina Salihu, Deputy Director  Nigeria,  MacArthur Foundation; Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Co-Founder of Sesor Empowerment Foundation. 

Other prominent figures include Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of the Neem Foundation and former special advisor on national security; Ene Ede, a leading gender activist and advisor; Maryam Uwais, former special advisor on social investments to President Muhammadu Buhari;  Kadaria Ahmed, Nigerian journalist and CEO Radio Now,  and Aisha Waziri, co-founder of Revive Nigeria Group and former candidate for House of Representatives from Borno State.

Prominent activists and leaders such as Zainab Salihijo,  Asmau Joda, Ene Orgah, Larai Ocheja Amusan, Mairo Mandara, and Maryam Lemu were also part of the group.

Rekiya Abaji, Sa’ida Sa’ad, Ummahani Amina, and Zaynab Musa further reinforced the collective by signing the release also.

The group emphasized that their members were drawn from North Central, North East, and North West Nigeria and is a coalition committed to fostering equitable, inclusive, and just societies for women across the Nation.

They noted that in a functioning democracy, especially a nascent one like Nigeria’s, every voice must be respected, regardless of gender. Dismissing female leaders with misogynistic comments undermines robust debate and diverse perspectives, which are crucial for effective policy making.