The recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate is not just a political maneuver—it is a damning reflection of institutional oppression at its worst. Lagos State Labour Party Chairman, Dayo Ekong, has strongly condemned this action, describing it as a disturbing perversion of justice. Rather than investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s serious allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate has chosen the path of silencing the accuser, reinforcing a culture where power shields the guilty while punishing the courageous.
This blatant suppression of truth sends a dangerous message: those in authority can act with impunity, while victims—particularly women—must suffer in silence. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, which should have sparked an ethical inquiry, was instead dismissed on procedural grounds, culminating in her six-month suspension. Ekong warns that if a female senator can be treated this way for speaking out, what hope is there for the everyday Nigerian woman—whether she’s a market trader harassed by the police, a student exploited by her lecturer, or a domestic worker with no voice to cry out?
At its core, this issue is bigger than politics; it is about justice, accountability, and the integrity of institutions meant to protect the people. If those in power can suppress allegations rather than address them, then Nigeria is treading a perilous path where injustice is not just tolerated but institutionalized. This is not just about Akpoti-Uduaghan—it is about the soul of the nation and the dangerous precedent that must be challenged before it becomes the norm.