The ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to generate widespread reactions, as the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has pledged to engage with the Senate leadership to facilitate a resolution and lift the suspension of the Kogi Central senator.

The minister also expressed concern over allegations of sexual harassment within the Senate, describing the development as “unfortunate.” She emphasised that such incidents should not occur in the National Assembly and reiterated her commitment to brokering peace between the parties involved.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. Former Vice President and PDP’s presidential candidate in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, also criticised the move, calling it an attempt to silence women in leadership. He lamented that the decision undermined the principle of fair hearing.

ActionAid Nigeria has also joined in the criticism, questioning the “speedy suspension” and calling for an independent inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim addressed the issue at a press briefing at the State House in Abuja, ahead of International Women’s Day. When asked why her ministry had not publicly commented on the matter earlier, she responded: “It’s an unfortunate incident that should not happen. In the last Assembly, we had nine female senators; in this Assembly, we have only four. We do not want to lose any more members in the Senate or House of Representatives—we want to increase our numbers.”

The minister stressed that efforts were underway to mediate the dispute. “We will engage all stakeholders to ensure justice is tempered with mercy. I was at the National Assembly on Thursday during their International Women’s Day event, and the Senate President said they are open to brokering peace. We will serve as intermediaries to facilitate reconciliation and promote collaboration between male and female lawmakers.”

Sulaiman-Ibrahim also highlighted the need to educate and support women in politics, advocating for increased female representation in governance. She emphasised that mentorship and economic empowerment are critical to enhancing women’s participation in leadership.

Reflecting on her personal experience, she recalled her late father’s advice: “When you are sure you qualify, indicate your interest. When you do, pray about it and actively work towards your goal.” She argued that political opportunities should not be granted to women merely because of their gender, urging women to develop a competitive spirit and assert themselves in the political arena.

She also revealed her discussions with First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the need for economic empowerment for women. “She told me: ‘Go and put money in women’s hands.’ Economic empowerment is crucial—when women have financial resources, they can contest elections, engage with stakeholders, and serve their communities.”

The minister acknowledged the financial barriers that hinder women’s political aspirations, noting that political campaigns are costly and many women are disadvantaged. To address this, her ministry is collaborating with partners to establish mentorship programmes for female politicians, equipping them with the resources and skills necessary to succeed.