Protesters under the aegis of Women for Change Vanguard have taken the ongoing face-off between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the UN headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
With banners that read, “The burden of proof lies with the accuser,” and “We believe in actual victims of sexual harassment, not people who weaponise it,” the demonstrators chanted solidarity songs and urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to present proof of the alleged sexual harassment she had accused Akpabio of.
The demonstration takes place only twenty-four hours after the senator from Kogi Central accused Akpabio and others of disrespect for her six-month unpaid Senate ban.
Remember how Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken her disagreement with Akpabio to a United Nations Forum? She had presented her case in the International Parliamentary Union, a United Nations body, claiming political victimisation.
After a heated argument with Senate leadership about a new seating arrangement that she said was intended to discredit her, she was suspended on March 6.
When Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed on national television that Akpabio was punishing her for turning down his purported sexual advances, tensions increased.
Speaking to the United Nations delegates in Abuja, the leader of the protest, Irene Umoh said that the women’s organisation made the decision to petition the UN on Friday in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempts to play the victim on the global scene.
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Umoh also tasked the international body with requesting that the suspended lawmaker present verifiable proof of the alleged sexual harassment.
She said, “This is not the first time Senator Natasha has made serious allegations against a prominent figure. Such actions risk becoming a weapon she wields against men in power, undermining the core principles of our fight against sexual violence.
“As mothers and members of the Women for Change Vanguard, we are acutely aware of the implications of false accusations. Such claims not only harm the accused but also diminish the experiences of genuine survivors.
“We call on Senator Natasha to provide concrete evidence of her claims against Senator Godswill Akpabio. Should credible evidence be presented, we will stand firm in our commitment to ensuring that justice is served.”
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According to her, if every allegation of sexual harassment against the opposite gender is allowed to stand without credible evidence, many women will start weaponising it against innocent men.
“Our peaceful protest today is not merely about demanding justice, and it is also about holding both parties accountable. Senator Akpabio must have the opportunity to clear his name, while Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must provide evidence that she was sexually abused.
“As women, we must not be perceived as weak. Instead, we must embody strength and resilience, particularly in the workplace and beyond,” she stated.
Receiving the petition from the protesting women, the UN Senior Human Rights Advisor, Adwoa Kufuor, promised to channel their grievances to the right quarters in the organisation.
