Former Nigerian Minister of Education, Madam Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed her concern and disappointment following a report by The Economist, which highlighted the challenges women face in Nigerian politics. The report was particularly timely, coming on the heels of serious allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti, who accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexually harassing her.
The Economist, in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, pointed out the glaring gender disparity within Nigeria’s National Assembly, revealing that only 17 out of the 360 members in the lower house of parliament are women. The report further emphasized that these women face severe challenges, including sexual harassment, making Nigerian politics a harsh environment for women. The publication described how this was reflected in the scandal involving Senator Natasha Akpoti, shedding light on the broader systemic issues women encounter in the political arena.
In her response, Oby Ezekwesili expressed her frustration with the way the Nigerian Senate, and specifically the Senate President, have handled the allegations. Taking to her official X handle, Ezekwesili condemned the actions of the Senate and Akpabio, accusing them of attempting to discredit Senator Akpoti rather than addressing the serious claims of sexual harassment. She wrote, “Rather than reverse that illegality and focus on her petition for sexual harassment, the Senate and Senate President have instead embarked on a smear campaign against Senator.” Ezekwesili’s statement suggests that rather than confronting the issues at hand, the Senate’s leadership is attempting to tarnish the reputation of the senator who came forward with the accusations, further deepening the systemic injustices women in politics face.
Ezekwesili’s reaction underscores the troubling reality that female politicians in Nigeria often have to navigate a male-dominated political landscape, one in which harassment, intimidation, and marginalization remain widespread. She is calling for accountability and for the focus to shift to addressing the allegations of harassment rather than deflecting attention through smear campaigns.
The report by The Economist has sparked widespread discussions on social media, drawing attention to the severe underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics and the gender-based violence they often face. With the nation’s political climate under scrutiny, the debate over women’s rights, empowerment, and equal representation in governance is set to continue.
Source: The Economist Official X Post, Oby Ezekwesili’s Official X Handle