Women leaders from the Niger Delta region have given Senate President President Godswill Akpabio a one-month ultimatum to resign from his position in the Senate after his controversial comments about senators’ “holiday enjoyment.”
They also declared their intention to mobilize over one million Niger Delta women for a massive protest at the National Assembly on September 26 if their demand for Akpabio’s resignation is not met.
Their ultimatum comes shortly after Akpabio informed his colleagues in the Senate that funds had been transferred to their accounts to enable them to “enjoy” their recess.
His statement sparked criticism and heated debates among Nigerians, who accused the senators of being insensitive, especially at a time when the general public was grappling with the removal of fuel subsidies.
The National President of Niger Delta Women League, Sheila Tamuno, through a statement, called for Akpabio’s immediate resignation, accusing him of disrespecting the sanctity of the Senate by adding insult to the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The statement expressed their stance: “We urge Senator Godswill Akpabio to honorably step down from his position as President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relinquish his gavel with immediate effect.
“We also urge distinguished senators to stand up for the masses and vote out Akpabio if he does not choose the honorable path of resigning.”
The statement further noted: “Given Akpabio’s questionable background, we expected him to take a pause from his controversial history before joining the esteemed Senate. On September 26, 2023, we will rally one million Niger Delta Women to the gates of the National Assembly to express either our gratitude or pressure for necessary action.”
Amid the ongoing economic challenges, the statement emphasized that Nigerians are grappling with issues like high costs of living, transportation, healthcare, and electricity tariffs.
The group asserted that they will not sit idly by while Akpabio’s actions jeopardize even the smallest glimmer of hope for a better life. They concluded with the saying, “A timely action prevents disaster.”