By Joy Baba-Yesufu
A coalition of over 350 women’s rights groups, under the umbrella of WOMANIFESTO, has expressed shock and outrage over recent developments in the National Assembly, raising concerns about Nigeria’s commitment to equity, justice, and the integrity of its legislative body.
In a statement signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, co-convener of WOMANIFESTO, on Monday, the coalition condemned the derogatory remarks and disrespectful conduct within the Senate, particularly towards female lawmakers. The group emphasized that all Senators are equal in status and must be treated with dignity and respect.
The coalition has further called for an urgent and transparent response to the serious allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The statement highlighted that these allegations are not isolated, recalling similar claims made in 2020 by Joy Nunieh, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), against Akpabio during his tenure as Minister.
While the Senate’s Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee has been tasked with reviewing the matter, WOMANIFESTO insists that this is not enough to assure the public of transparency and accountability.
The group also raised concerns about the underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics, noting that:
Women make up only 3.67% of the Senate (4 out of 109 seats)
Women hold just 3.9% of seats in the House of Representatives (14 out of 360)
1 in 3 Nigerian women experience Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in their lifetime
These statistics, the coalition argues, highlight the urgent need for political and systemic reforms to protect women from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation.
The women’s coalition has outlined the following key demands; immediate resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio; aa transparent and impartial investigation into the sexual harassment allegations; an upgrade of the probe to a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and assurance that legal proceedings related to the case are not obstructed
WOMANIFESTO asserts that this case will test whether the National Assembly is truly committed to protecting Nigerian women or if it will allow systemic impunity to persist.
“This incident serves as a critical learning moment for our nation regarding the safety and rights of women. We, the women of Nigeria, firmly reiterate our demands for justice, accountability, and the protection of our rights,” the statement concludes.
The coalition urges the Senate to act decisively in restoring public trust and ensuring that women’s voices are heard and respected in Nigeria’s highest legislative chamber.
