By Chris Onuoha

Africa Leadership Group (ALG), founded by Pastor Ituah Ighodaloh of Trinity House Lagos, has held another weekly conversation series, that touched on a salient and critical issues currently trending in the political space in Nigeria.

In this series done virtually as usual and anchored by Jumoke Akin-Tailor, the forum had as guest, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, a broadcast journalist, rights activist and founder, Purple Women Foundation, whose contributions focused on a special theme: “Politics, Patriarchy and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).”

Her conversation was somewhat centered on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan among other things, speaking on patriarchal bullying in the political space, especially in Nigeria. Recall, the National Assembly recently was embroiled in a chaotic confrontation over an in-house seat arrangements culminating to Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan querying an impromptu change of her sitting position in the house. Her refusal to vacate her original seat to a new allocated one in the house caused an altercation between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, which she alleged to marginalisation and bullying. That, eventually led to her suspension from the House for a period of six months.

However this did not go down well with her, as she also in the process accused Senator Akpabio of sexual harassment. This also raised heated public controversy and discourse over the incident, revealing some gender inequality fight and sexual related cases in both public and private space in the country.

Ireti Bakare-Yusuf in this discourse, expressed concerns over what she termed patriarchal prejudice in Nigeria, with National Assembly inclusive and also, the dearth of female representatives in the political space in the country, using Natasha and Akpabio face-off as subject of discuss.

She said that in similar situations, a lot of women are afraid to come out and speak when they face marginalisation or SGBV related cases in the society. Narrating of a protest by women during the #EndSars period, she mentioned how organised, women have been in such situations, describing it as incredibly. She noted that she was discouraged by family members in participating during #Endsars, but was not deterred.

Ireti Bakare-Yusuf also mentioned why her foundation, Purple Women Foundation was established as women’s favourite activism platform to fight similar courses. “Among some of our activism fight were a protest carried at Erisco factory back then in respect of Chioma who was a victim for speaking out. This movement comprised women from all walks of life who bonded together for a common goal towards gender disparity.

Jumoke, in the process asked why organising a protest for Natasha. Bakare-Yusuf noted; “She is not known to us, neither does she belong to our group. But I could remember her actions during a face off with Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello when he dug up road leading to her constituency,” she said.

Ireti also described Natasha as a catalyst for change. “She is not even part of women activists. She will also be remembered when Senator Ireti Kingibe was bullied at Senate plenary for trying to pass a motion. Kingibe was shouted down by members who were men in majority. It was Senator Natasha that stood up for her.”

With the ensuing notion that ‘women supporting women’ is not adequately practiced by folks involved, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf said that, it does not mean that women should support all women, noting, there will be a clear cut to what will attract attention.

Reacting to sitting arrangements in the Assembly, she mentioned that women are not adequately considered with seat relevance. Visibility for women according to her, is as important in that context as giving the few women in the house the required voice to measure up their relevance.

“I did mentioned that Senator Akpabio is not God and should not be treated as one. He was elected as any other member in the house and should as well treat every member, be it woman or man with equal respect.

“For Natasha, we encourage women alike to speak out when issues of sexual harassment occurs. We abhor quietness which we see as patriarchal prejudice in our African society. In the Natasha and Akpabio case, we are not to judge who is guilty or not, but we are concerned about speaking out and getting to know the truth. We all know that sexual harassment case by every means, is near impossible to prove, but there is an iota of truth in every lie,” said Bakare-Yusuf.

Jumoke hinted how courageous women are silenced in a patriarchal dominated settings, and also mentioned that in some cases, men supports women more than women do.

Ireti Bakare-Yusuf in her response defines the marginal support men have for women. She said married women are very subtle in support mechanisms to their fellow women based on cultural orientation that hinders women destroying another’s family.

“Patriarchal influence over women in Nigeria determines the reaction to an extent when the issue of activism and support for each other. Others would discourage their counterparts by being naive because of some domestic responsibilities imposed on men, thereby, refrain from taking part in supporting another woman.

“Patriarchy is an enemy of society. Its consequences varies from society to society. I see Patriarchy as a monster everyone fights. There are mothers and fathers alike, brought up in patriarchal way. This has affected societal behaviours.

“Nigerian women in the past has flexed powers that challenged patriarchal dominance. They rode in horses, carried weapons of warfare, and protested vigorously to arrest situations inimical to gender marginalisation. At this point, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Queens Amina and Moremi, Margaret Ekpo including Aba Women rioting group came to mind. Besides, the ‘Iyalodes’ at palaces have contributed immensely to challenge patriarchal related issues. Women are integral part of the society and should be accorded the utmost desired respect they deserve.

“In the corporate space, women are making impact, breaking the glass ceilings. Any board meeting without a woman tends to frail in actions. The issue here is when the society wants change, people resist violence. Change is all,” she added.

Ireti Bakare-Yusuf noted that the retrogression of women in the Senate is worrisome, noting that the patriarchal dominance is the cause. She was firm in her support for Senator Natasha whom she sees as a change agent in the face of patriarchal dominance.