The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have written to the United Nations (UN) Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, appealing for urgent intervention to uphold justice and protect women in Nigerian politics.

In a statement, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, Comrade James Ezema, and National Secretary of the coalition, Alhaji Ali Abacha, expressed concerns over the challenges faced by female politicians in a male-dominated political environment. The coalition specifically highlighted the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been at the center of controversy following her allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power against Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter stated, “We urge the United Nations (UN) to disregard the recent protest march to its premises, led by a group identified as Women for Change Vanguard, which we believe was orchestrated to discredit Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and trivialize her weighty allegations.” Ezema and Abacha emphasized that this protest is part of a calculated effort to undermine Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s credibility and silence her courageous outcry against injustice.

The coalition also noted that the rushed recommendation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions is a typical example of the systemic challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics. They pointed out that the committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, has been reported to have been disbarred for life in the United States for professional misconduct.

Ezema and Abacha appealed to the United Nations to ignore any protest aimed at undermining Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s quest for justice and to stand firmly in support of her rights. The coalition emphasized that this appeal aligns with the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Convention on the Political Rights of Women (CPRW), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

“We trust that the United Nations will act decisively to uphold justice, protect women in Nigerian politics, and send a clear message that the voices of women will not be silenced by intimidation or disregard for the rule of law,” the letter concluded.