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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Beauty Is Her ‘Problem,’ Says Former Minister Ogunlewe
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Ogunlewe suggested that her beauty is a contributing factor to her struggles in the Senate.
“Her beauty is a problem, there is no doubt about that. A woman should be skilful to get her way through. She is an endangered species, and I know some of them that will find their way through no matter what happens,” Ogunlewe said
Drawing from his experience, he noted that past female senators never viewed themselves as inferior to their male counterparts. He cited the example of Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, stating that “if you even mention that Ita-Giwa is a woman, the response you are going to get will make you ashamed of yourself, because they will stand up to you.”
Addressing the allegations of harassment, Ogunlewe dismissed concerns about misconduct within the Senate chambers.
“No, it is a natural thing for a man to look at beautiful women. How can he be a man, and a beautiful woman is passing, and you close your eyes?” he remarked.
He clarified that the alleged incident involving Akpoti-Uduaghan did not take place within the Senate but at the residence of the Senate President, adding, “So, don’t let us relate that one to what is happening in the chambers. There is no harassment at all in the chamber.”
Ogunlewe also referenced Akpabio’s past comments, where the Senate President stated that he is often surrounded by beautiful women but has never acted inappropriately. “Beauty is not a problem for him,” Ogunlewe said, reiterating Akpabio’s stance.
He further spoke on the issue of sexual harassment in Nigeria, arguing that “when you toast, the woman will refuse. No, that’s not sexual harassment. That’s a different thing.”
On resolving the controversy, Ogunlewe urged former Senate Presidents and senior lawmakers to engage Akpabio directly instead of airing grievances publicly.
“They should not sit down and criticise on the pages of newspapers. They can form their own committee and meet Akpabio, who probably is their junior. They should not put the Senate in this level of disrepute,” he advised.
