“We Have Four Female Senators, Two Are Vocal, Two Are Almost Non-existent” – Aisha Yesufu

By Adesina Soyooye

Female Activist, Aisha Yesufu, has weighed into the altercation between Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senator who represents Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The two last Thursday at Plenary, had a serious argument over seat allocation which quickly degenerated into a shouting match.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had rejected a new seat allocated to her, and thus, refused to go to the new seat allocated to her. For that, SP Akpabio refused to recognise her when she raised a hand to speak. He advised her to vacate old seat for the new one allocated to her in order to be recognised to speak. But it was an advise she refused to adhere and instead opted to explain herself. The situation degenerated when Akpabio ordered that the Senator be “kicked” out of the Senate Chambers. An infuriated Akpoti-Uduaghan responded in like manner and told Akpabio, “I am not afraid of you.”

The altercation has since attracted a deluge of reactions – for and against.

Weighing in, Aisha Yesufu, said that Akpabio, who, in her words,  “should be in jail” is harassing the only two active Female Senators – Akpoti-Uduaghan  and Ireti Kingibe – of four. She said the other two female Senators, whose names she did not mention, remain almost non-existent.

Yesufu in a post on X:

”We have only four female Senators. Two are almost nonexistent.

“The vocal two are being harassed left, right, and center by Senator Akpabio, who should have been in jail if Nigeria had an incorruptible judiciary.”

The Senate has referred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Ethics and Code of Conduct Committee for, perhaps, disciplinary action, which could be suspension.

But the Senator has also filed a suit against Akpabio, his Legislative Aide, Patrick Mfon and the Federal Government for defamation of character at a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja. She is asking for a whopping N100bn for general damages, and another N300m in legal expenses.

This is the second time Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would clash with Akpabio.

Recall, too, that in December 2024, FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe decided to walk out of the Senate chamber when Akpabio pointedly ignored her, and refused to entertain her motion.