A coalition of 300 women activist groups under the aegis of Womanifesto demanded that the Senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, tender an apology for what they termed “his demeaning outburst” towards Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during Thursday’s 18th plenary.
This demand was made in a press statement issued by the group on Saturday, July 20th. In its statement, the coalition condemned the outburst and demanded an unequivocal apology from the Senate president.
Speaking in the upper chamber on Tuesday, Akpabio said that he would never intentionally denigrate any woman and proceeded to tender an apology to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for his “night club” statement.
“Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise to you.
“I will not intentionally denigrate any woman and I always pray that God will uplift women.
“The interest shown in social media shows that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. People should concentrate on things that will move this country forward,” he said.
The women had said in their statement that “Senator Akpabio displayed utter disrespect and disregard with his choice of words and demeanour while addressing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
They then demanded an immediate apology from the senate president stating that “Our leaders must exemplify the highest standards of conduct and respect for all, irrespective of gender.”
Also speaking on the allegations of extramarital affairs made against him on social media, the senate president stated that his phone and that of his wife have been bombarded with calls and text messages, most of them insults.
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