By Bukola Kayode
Human Rights Lawyer Deji Adeyanju has warned the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio to desist from harassing female senators or face a visa ban advocacy from concerned human rights groups
Adeyanju issued the warning in a Facebook post that has been shared many times.
The firebrand lawyer traced Akpabio’s history of bullying female senators, saying the Senate President’s behavior had become worrisome.
He wrote: “Earlier today, I saw online, an unfortunate and disturbing incident involving Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Akpoti, Senator representing Kogi Central and Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate. In the Viral video online, She was unjustly ordered to leave the Senate chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This egregious act of harassment is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a troubling pattern of behavior towards female senators under Akpabio’s leadership.
” It is absolutely unacceptable and condemnable that, under the Senate President’s watch, female senators are treated as second-class representatives in a body meant to uphold the rights and dignity of all its members. The treatment faced by Senator Ireti Kingibe mirrors that which Senator Akpoti has recently endured. Such repeated harassment against female senators must no longer be tolerated.
” One cannot help but question why Senator Akpabio consistently targets women while sparing his male counterparts from similar treatment. This glaring double standard undermines the integrity of the Senate and sends a disheartening message about the role of women in our political landscape. Women, as elected representatives of their constituencies, deserve the same respect and consideration as their male colleagues”.
Adeyanju added: “Senator Akpabio has no right to dismiss Senator Natasha Akpoti from the chamber. As an elected representative of the people of Kogi Central, she has every right to participate in discussions and debates in the Senate. The manner in which Akpabio entered the Senate as a representative is the same way Akpoti holds her position. It is imperative that we protect the rights and dignity of women in our political institutions.
“We must advocate for a political environment where women are not only present but also feel safe and respected. The harassment of female senators is a violation of their rights and an affront to the democratic principles we claim to uphold”.
The popular lawyer demanded for an equitable Senate, writing,
” In light of this, I call on the Senate President to cease his harassment and targeting of our female senators. If this pattern of behavior continues and he fails to stop his campaign of harassment, we will have no choice but to petition various embassies to consider placing visa bans on him and his immediate family. It is time to hold those in power accountable for their actions and ensure that the dignity of every senator, regardless of gender, is respected
“We demand a Senate that is equitable and just for all its members.”
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