The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have called on the United Nations to discard the series of protests against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, leading to her suspension for six months by the Senate committee on ethics, privileges, and discipline.
Following her suspension, the Kogi senator took her battle against Mr Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, where she called for justice and intervention from global democratic institutions.
The coalition, in a letter written to the UN, expressed concerns over what they described as a calculated effort to undermine Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility.
The letter, signed by James Ezema, deputy national publicity secretary of CNPP, and Ali Abacha, National Secretary of CNCSOs, highlights the challenges faced by female politicians in a male-dominated political environment in Nigeria.
“We urge the United Nations (UN) to disregard the recent protest march to its premises, led by a group identified as Women for Change Vanguard, which we believe was orchestrated to discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and trivialise her weighty allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“This protest, in our view, is part of a calculated effort to undermine Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility and to silence her courageous outcry against injustice.
“We passionately request the United Nations to take note of this orchestrated move, which is emblematic of a broader campaign to persecute Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan following her recent engagement with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) regarding her suspension from the Senate and her allegations against Senator Akpabio,” it read.
According to the letter: “With only four female Senators in the Nigerian Senate today, it is imperative to protect the few women who have dared to participate in politics despite the overwhelming challenges posed by a male-dominated political environment.
“These challenges are exacerbated by the immense wealth and influence wielded by some male politicians who are determined to retain power at all costs. The intentional role of the United Nations in safeguarding the voices of women in politics cannot be overstated, and no sacrifice towards this cause can be deemed too great.
“The need to protect female politicians from an unjust system imposed by influential forces motivated this letter of appeal.”
While stressing the importance of protecting women’s rights in politics, the coalition referenced international conventions such as the Convention on the Political Rights of Women (CPRW) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
“We trust that the United Nations will act decisively to uphold justice, protect women in Nigerian politics, and send a clear message that the voices of women will not be silenced by intimidation or disregard for the rule of law,” it added in the letter.
