Women affairs minister to intervene in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension, says senate open to peace talks

Imaan Suleiman, the minister of women affairs and social welfare, says she is ready to intervene in the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, by the senate.

On Thursday, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, following the clash between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a seating arrangement, which culminated in a sexual harassment allegation by the senator against the leader of the red chamber.

Speaking with State House correspondents on Friday, the minister expressed regret over the sexual harassment allegation in the senate, describing it as “unfortunate”.

She noted that such incidents should not have happened in the national assembly. She added that her ministry would engage with the senate to facilitate reconciliation and resolve the issue amicably.

“We don’t want to be losing any member in the senate or house of assembly. We want to increase the numbers. It is unfortunate,” Suleiman said.

“We’re going to be brokering peace. We will engage all the stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy.”

She noted that during her visit to the national assembly on Thursday, Akpabio said the senate “was open to broker peace”.

Suleiman added that Nigeria must accelerate efforts to increase women’s representation in governance and ensure they have a seat at the table.

“I was at the national assembly yesterday (Thursday) at the senate, where they marked International Women’s Day, and the last thing the president of the senate said was that— we’re open to broker peace,” she added.

“So, we’re going to be intermediaries between the two parties to see that we broker for peace to reign, and we will continue to also sensitise so that we would like to work better together as women and men.”