Prominent human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has issued a stern warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, threatening to seek a visa ban on him and his family over alleged harassment and mistreatment of female senators in the National Assembly.
Adeyanju, known for his outspoken stance on governance and human rights issues, condemned Akpabio’s alleged discrimination against female lawmakers, particularly Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday night, Adeyanju decried Akpabio’s actions, describing them as a “pattern of behavior” that disrespects and sidelines female representatives in the Senate. His statement follows a viral video showing Akpabio allegedly ordering Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan out of the Senate chamber, an act Adeyanju labeled as an affront to democracy and gender equality.
“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,” Adeyanju stated. He further accused the Senate President of creating a hostile environment for women in the legislature, treating them as “second-class representatives” in a democratic institution meant to uphold equality.
A History of Discrimination?
The lawyer’s concerns extend beyond the recent altercation involving Akpoti-Uduaghan. He pointed to the treatment of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who has reportedly faced similar challenges under Akpabio’s leadership.
“One cannot help but question why Senator Akpabio consistently targets women while sparing his male counterparts from similar treatment,” Adeyanju questioned. “This glaring double standard undermines the integrity of the Senate and sends a disheartening message about the role of women in our political landscape.”
Adeyanju insisted that women deserve the same respect and consideration as their male colleagues, emphasizing that Akpoti-Uduaghan, like every other senator, was duly elected by her constituents and had every right to participate in Senate deliberations.
“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,” he added.
Call for International Sanctions
Taking his advocacy a step further, Adeyanju declared that if Akpabio continues his alleged harassment of female senators, he would petition foreign embassies to impose a visa ban on the Senate President and his immediate family.
“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,” Adeyanju warned.
Visa bans have been used in the past as a tool to hold Nigerian politicians accountable, particularly in cases of electoral malpractice and human rights violations. In 2020, the U.S. imposed travel restrictions on certain Nigerian politicians for their alleged roles in election rigging. Adeyanju’s latest threat signals a push to leverage international pressure to enforce accountability within Nigeria’s political system.
A Larger Fight for Women’s Rights
Adeyanju’s statement has sparked conversations about the broader issue of gender equality in Nigerian politics. Women in government have long complained about discrimination, systemic barriers, and an entrenched culture of male dominance in decision-making spaces.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, an advocate for women’s rights, has previously clashed with political figures over gender-based discrimination. During the 2019 Kogi State governorship election, she faced intimidation and attacks, which she described as efforts to silence women in politics.
Adeyanju insists that the mistreatment of female lawmakers in the Senate is a reflection of a larger societal issue and that action must be taken to ensure a political environment where women feel safe, respected, and empowered to perform their duties without fear of discrimination.
“We must advocate for a political environment where women are not only present but also feel safe and respected,” he stated. “The harassment of female senators is a violation of their rights and an affront to the democratic principles we claim to uphold.”
