Women leaders from Nigeria’s North Central zone have called on President Bola Tinubu to address what they describe as a concerning trend of political marginalization, particularly involving female public figures. They warned that such developments could pose risks to democratic stability and inclusive governance.
In a statement issued Saturday in Lafia, the Chairperson of the North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu, expressed concern over the recent lawsuit filed against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Federal Government. The group described the legal action as disheartening and potentially detrimental to open political expression.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s efforts to speak out on national issues should not be misconstrued,” the statement read. “This legal case could be perceived as political suppression and a setback for female representation in politics.”
The group emphasized that ongoing tensions within the 10th Senate should be addressed through transparent dialogue and equitable solutions, rather than through actions that could be interpreted as punitive or exclusionary.
They urged President Tinubu to provide leadership by promoting reconciliation and fairness in resolving political disputes, particularly those involving high-ranking lawmakers such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The Senate requires sincere engagement and justice-based solutions to rebuild public trust and internal unity,” the statement noted.
Mrs. Adamu further called on the President to consider instructing the Attorney General to review the lawsuit in the spirit of promoting national cohesion and democratic integrity.
The NCWF also commended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for what they described as her resilience and commitment to public service while urging all political actors to uphold the values of respect, inclusion, and civility.
They concluded by calling on the President to act with wisdom and fairness, highlighting how dissent is handled—especially involving women leaders—will reflect on the broader health of Nigeria’s democracy.
