Every house, be it the family, a nation, or a legislative chamber, stands upon the foundation of order. But without order or protocol, then witchcraft is invited. The spirit of witchcraft is rebellion. The treatment meted out to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and sudden suspension is a replay of Russian rebellion encapsulated in Geoge Orwell Animal Farm.
The recent suspension of amazon and voice of the voiceless representing Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate is not just an administrative decision; it is an unveiling of modern-day witchcraft. It is indeed an unholy blend of political desperation and gender suppression. This is not about breaking laws; it is about breaking spirits. It is about men using power as a whip to silence women who dare to sit at the table of leadership. It is the same old song, but this time, the chorus is louder, the lyrics more brazen, and the injustice more glaring.
George Orwell, in his timeless masterpiece Animal Farm, painted a society where equality was preached but never practiced. “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This quote rings truer in Nigeria’s political space, where the supposed principles of democracy are tossed aside whenever they threaten the comfort of those in power. The Nigerian Senate, like Orwell’s farm, claims to operate on rules and order. Yet, when a woman rises with a voice too strong for their comfort, those rules suddenly become chains to bind her. If Natasha were a man, would this drama unfold with such venom? If she had chosen silence over courage, would she now be facing the wrath of a system determined to keep her in check?
This is not the first time that power has been wielded as a weapon against dissent. But what makes Natasha’s case particularly striking is the brazenness of it all. It is the clear message that a woman’s place is still being dictated by the whims of men who fear her strength. History is littered with stories of powerful women who were silenced, not because they were wrong, but because they were bold. From Queen Amina of Zazzau to Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Nigerian history is rich with women who dared to challenge the status quo—and suffered for it. The pattern remains unchanged: a society that tolerates women only when they are submissive and quiet. John Stuart Mill, one of The Greatest American thinkers, argued in the subjection of Women that “the legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong in itself.” Yet, here we are in 2025, still debating the right of a woman to speak, to challenge, to lead without fear of persecution.
If democracy is truly about representation, why are women being systematically erased? Worse still, the remaining three (3) women existing at the 10the chamber are more or less male than the female because of a male dominated world . Why is it that when a woman speaks, she is labeled emotional, aggressive, or disrespectful? Why must a woman fight twice as hard to be heard, only to be silenced the moment her voice becomes inconvenient?
There is a difference between ignorance and witchcraft. Ignorance is when people do not know better. Witchcraft is when they do know better but choose wickedness anyway. The suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not ignorance; it is witchcraft. It is the deliberate use of political power to frustrate, weaken, and discourage women from daring to challenge male dominance. In a country where over 49% of the population is female, the National Assembly remains a boys’ club, where women are tokens rather than equals. The few who dare to step in must walk on eggshells, constantly proving themselves to men who see their presence as an intrusion rather than a necessity.
A society dominated by men is not just an unfair society; it is a stagnant one. It is a society where decisions are made with only half the wisdom, where progress limps instead of soars. Research has shown that nations with greater gender equality experience higher economic growth, lower corruption, and better governance. Even in religion, where many seek justification for male superiority, wisdom cries out against inequality.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) championed women’s rights in a time when they were treated as property. Jesus Christ welcomed women into his ministry when society saw them as unworthy. If both Islam and Christianity advocate for gender justice, who then are these men fighting against women’s progress?
The legendary Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe, once said, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” And what is failed leadership if not the refusal to embrace inclusivity? What is failed leadership if not the consistent oppression of half the population? This is not just about Natasha. This is about every Nigerian woman who has been told to sit down, to be quiet, to wait her turn. This is about every girl who is taught from childhood that leadership is a man’s game. This is about a country that continues to clip the wings of its women and wonders why it cannot fly. If we allow this witchcraft to go unchecked, what message are we sending? That women should never challenge injustice? That the Senate is a sacred ground where only men can speak freely? That democracy is a performance, not a reality?
The winds of change are here, whether the oppressors like it or not. Women are rising, and their voices will not be silenced. The same fire that burned through history, from the Aba Women’s Riot to the fearless activism of Dora Akunyili, still burns today. And no Senate rule, no suspension, no political intimidation can quench it. The time of male-dominated politics is running out. Natasha’s suspension is not a defeat; it is a call to arms. The question now is: will Nigeria answer?
– Attai Stephen Eyiene SMM IHRC
