**Politics in Nigeria, Dangerous for Women — Senator Nata
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central senatorial district, has expressed concerns about the extreme dangers women face in Nigerian politics. Speaking at the ECOWAS Female Parliament Association’s event titled “Rethinking Women’s Proportional Representation in Governance: Case Study of Nigeria” on Monday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted several challenges.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan pointed out the high cost of political campaigns in Nigeria, noting that men often have more financial stability than women. She described the political landscape as hostile, saying, “Politics is extremely dangerous in Nigeria. You can’t be gentle as a woman. When a nurturing woman becomes too tough, it’s not good.”
She shared personal experiences of the violence she has faced, stating, “I am so tough now that I rarely cry unless something deeply affects me. That is what violence teaches you.”
Discussing her political journey, Akpoti-Uduaghan recounted her entry into politics in 2018 and the significant challenges she faced. She emphasized the need for a less financially burdensome electoral process and showed interest in exploring the independent candidature system in Liberia as a potential solution.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about her personal sacrifices, including surviving accidents and enduring physical hardships while campaigning. She urged male leaders to be supportive and respectful towards women in politics and advised women to be careful with their political promises to avoid overburdening themselves.
Lastly, she mentioned her collaboration with Senator Ireti Kingibe to propose a bill aimed at achieving 45% women’s inclusion in governance.
