Natasha vs Akpabio: Middlebelt Vanguard decries intimidation, discrimination against women in leadership

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A non-governmental organization called the Middle-Belt Vanguard has denounced the alleged widespread intimidation and discrimination against women in leadership following the fight Thursday over seat allocation in the Red Chamber between Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Additionally, the group urged the Senate to act as a forum for justice, fairness, and honesty rather than one that is used for shame and intimidation.

In a signed statement sent to reporters in Abuja, the group’s president, Godwin Meliga, denounced Akpabio for publicly degrading the senator, pointing to an earlier instance in which he made derogatory comments about her speech without acknowledgment.

Meliga asserted that the Senate President’s actions were not unique.

“On February 20, 2025, Akpabio reallocated Senate seats but failed to consult or notify the affected senators, including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he stated.

Meliga noted that although the Senate President has the power to distribute seats, senators must be notified in advance in order to maintain fairness and due process.

He said: “Senator Natasha was unfairly silenced when she tried to address the issue, with her concerns dismissed on the grounds that she was not seated in her assigned spot.”

Since Senator Akpabio had earlier voiced similar concerns under Bukola Saraki’s time as Senate President and was permitted to speak even from an unassigned seat, Meliga contended that this was an instance of a double standard.

He described it as a blatant instance of prejudice and asked why Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was not granted the same privilege.

Therefore, the organization called on Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other senators to support the Kogi lawmaker and make sure she gets the dignity and justice to which she is due as an elected official.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassured by Meliga to persevere in the face of hardship, saying that her service to the people of Kogi Central should not be compromised.

He also stated that the Middle-Belt Vanguard would not put up with any kind of discrimination against women in leadership roles or the weakening of democratic values in the nation.

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