The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and a coalition of civil society organizations have petitioned the United Nations, calling for its urgent intervention to protect women in Nigerian politics.
In a letter addressed to the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria on Monday, the groups urged the global body to uphold justice in the case of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power.
Jointly signed by CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary James Ezema and the National Secretary of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the petition condemned what they described as a “calculated effort” to discredit the senator.
The coalition specifically denounced a recent protest led by the Women for Change Vanguard at the UN premises in Abuja, alleging that it was staged to undermine Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility and trivialize her allegations.
“This protest, in our view, is part of a coordinated attempt to silence Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and obstruct her fight for justice,” the letter stated.
Additionally, the groups criticized the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, for recommending a six-month suspension of the senator, despite a valid court order restraining such action.
They also raised concerns over the credibility of the committee’s Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, who was previously disbarred for life in the United States over professional misconduct.
Emphasizing the need to protect women in Nigerian politics, the coalition warned that silencing one of the country’s four female senators would set a dangerous precedent for gender equality in governance.
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“This blatant disregard for due process is a reflection of the systemic barriers women face in Nigerian politics,” the letter continued.
“We implore the UN to reject any protest meant to discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and to support her right to justice.”
The petition further referenced international agreements such as the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as key instruments supporting their call for global intervention.
Reiterating their seven-day ultimatum for Senate President Akpabio to step aside pending an independent investigation into the allegations, the groups warned that failure to comply would trigger mass protests across Nigeria and international pressure from Nigerians in the diaspora, as well as female lawmakers in the United States and the United Kingdom.
“We trust that the United Nations will act decisively to uphold justice, protect women in Nigerian politics, and send a clear message that intimidation and disregard for the rule of law will not be tolerated,” the petition concluded.
