Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has expressed its readiness to mediate the feud between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The two lawmakers had a verbal altercation, which led to disciplinary action against Senator Natasha for allegedly violating Senate rules during the exchange.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in a chat with State House correspondents in Abuja during the Meet the Press programme, said the Ministry’s intervention aimed to ensure that the Senate balances mercy with justice in resolving pending issues.
She expressed concern over the low representation of women in elective positions, assuring that efforts have been made to engage stakeholders in fostering a harmonious working relationship between female lawmakers and their male counterparts.
The Minister said she was optimistic, based on the posture exhibited by the National Assembly, while hosting this year’s International Women’s Day, that the feud would be settled amicably.
“I was at the Senate, where they marked the International Women’s Day and the last statement the Senate President said was that they are open to broker peace, so we are going to be the intermediary between the two parties to see that we broker peace between the two parties”, she said.
Hajia Suleiman-Ibrahim said the reconciliatory gesture would bar the already dwindling number of the womenfolk in the National Assembly from shrinking further.
The Senate, upon the recommendation of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and Public Petitions, suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday for six months, over alleged misconduct and violation of the Senate Rules.
Bello Wakili
