Comrade James Ezema
In a formal letter addressed to the United Nations (UN) Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have called for urgent intervention to uphold justice and protect women in Nigerian politics.
The letter, signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of the coalition, highlights the challenges faced by female politicians in a male-dominated political environment.
The coalition expressed concerns over what they described as a “calculated effort to undermine Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility.” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has been at the center of controversy following her allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power against Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter stated, “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 trivialize her weighty allegations.”
The coalition further emphasized the systemic challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics, citing the rushed recommendation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. They noted that the committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, has been reported to have been disbarred for life in the United States for professional misconduct.
“This blatant disregard for due process is a typical example of the systemic challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics,” the letter continued. “We implore the United Nations to ignore any protest aimed at undermining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s quest for justice and to stand firmly in support of her rights.”
The coalition also highlighted the importance of protecting women’s rights in politics, referencing 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,” the letter concluded.
It would be recalled that the CNPP and civil society coalition had issued a seven-day ultimatum for Senator Akpabio to step aside as Senate President to allow for an independent investigation into the allegations.
They also warned that failure to comply would result in mass protests and mobilization of international bodies and Nigerians in the diaspora, as well as female lawmakers in the US and UK, to pressure the Nigerian government.
