Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized Nigerian leaders for failing to create an environment that enables women to thrive and contribute to national development.
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made this statement on Friday through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in reaction to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) by the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on Thursday after she rejected a reassigned seating position and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during a live television broadcast.
Atiku condemned the Senate’s decision, calling it an attack on affirmative action.
“Has there been an investigation? No. So, Atiku’s position hasn’t changed. Whichever way you look at this, there is a concern. Any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing,” he said.
“About half of our population is women, and if we don’t deliberately create an environment conducive to promoting women’s interests—whether in politics, business, or any other human endeavour—we are underutilising our potential.
“We’re not providing half of our population the opportunities to thrive and add value to society. With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8, it raises serious concerns. The Senate’s action of suspending Natasha for six months without conducting an investigation is an attack on affirmative action.”
Similarly, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, through his former media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, also expressed disappointment over the development.
“The situation is quite disappointing,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized Akpabio for failing to step aside and allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations. He described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as “shameful” and accused opposition lawmakers of remaining silent instead of speaking out.
“The Senate President should have excused himself; he wasn’t truly a man of integrity. He should have stepped aside and allowed the investigation to proceed. I was deeply moved by this, and I’m sure every person of goodwill would be as well,” Osadolor stated.
“Natasha could have been our sister, our wife, our daughter, or our mother. To see them all gang up and use state power and bureaucracy to silence her voice is shameful. For me, it was even more shameful for the opposition members on the floor of the Senate. They failed to speak up when it mattered.
“They were trying to stay in Akpabio’s good books. Looking at the whole situation, no one could stand up to be counted because they didn’t want to be kicked out or labelled as rebels. It’s a shame. But I believe Natasha has made her points. Though the majority will have their way, the minority will also have their day.”
