Ekiti State ex-governor’s wife, Bisi Fayemi, has taken a swipe at ex-senators Florence Ita-Giwa and Abiodun Olujimi, as well as serving lawmaker Ireti Kingibe, over their remarks on the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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In an article titled “Not About Natasha,” Bisi Fayemi described the comments made by the three female politicians as “extremely disappointing,” accusing them of failing to support another woman in a moment of crisis.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 after a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
However, the controversy took a new turn when she alleged that Akpabio had previously made sexual advances towards her during a visit to his home in Akwa Ibom State.
Reacting to the drama, Ita-Giwa, during a TV appearance, criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision to go public with the harassment allegation, saying the senator had “showed signs of weakness.” Olujimi, on her part, advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to “be strong and not display emotional instability in the Senate.” Kingibe dismissed the controversy, arguing that the Kogi lawmaker “should not have made a big deal” out of the seat rearrangement.
Fayemi, a women’s rights advocate, did not hold back in her response.
“After she dropped the bomb, there was a flurry of activities. Senator Ireti Kingibe, a serving female Senator, and two former female Senators—Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa—were invited to share their views,” she wrote.
“All three Senators are older friends or at least acquaintances of mine, and I have a lot of respect for them. However, I found their submissions extremely disappointing.”
While acknowledging the importance of following parliamentary rules, Fayemi said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s distress was evident and should have been taken seriously.
“It is one thing to argue that it is important to follow the rules. I don’t think anyone will insist on flouting the rules of such an important institution, especially if they are applied fairly and not subjectively,” she stated.
“It was however clear that Senator Natasha felt beleaguered, and she believed that there was a score the Senate President wanted to settle with her. If this was the case, then I would have expected the three Senators to support a process that would enable Senator Natasha shed light on her serious allegations of sexual harassment (beyond national television) and for the Senate President to defend himself in a transparent manner.”
Expressing her disappointment, Fayemi lamented that none of the female senators stood up for Akpoti-Uduaghan, even when it was clear she was under attack.
“To my horror, none of the female Senators deemed it necessary to stand up for another woman. Even if, in their opinion, Senator Natasha was misguided on matters of process and temperament, she was still entitled to have her fears and concerns heard,” she said.
“It is so painful that all three of them missed an opportunity to see the bigger picture and address the constant intimidation, gaslighting, and belittling women in leadership positions go through.”
Fayemi argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was not just about Senate rules but a reflection of the systemic oppression women face in politics and leadership.
“To all the women who have publicly taken a position against Senator Natasha, I have news for you. You are not fighting the same battle as most of the male Senators or the men around us who have also aired their views. You are not on the same page, you are not even reading the same book,” she declared.
“If it was just about Senator Natasha following the rules and not disrupting the space for women in politics, the problem can be easily fixed. I am sure if Senator Natasha takes the time to familiarise herself with Senate rules and proceedings (assuming she has not done so already), this will make her work in the Senate more productive.”
However, Fayemi warned that the attack on Akpoti-Uduaghan was part of a larger, well-orchestrated effort to silence outspoken women in leadership.
“What is happening is a full-scale war on women in public life, with clear lines drawn. Women need to wake up! We need to do battle with the powerful forces that want women to keep being silent in the face of provocation and abuse,” she wrote.
The former first lady also condemned the public protests staged against Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a deliberate attempt to shame women into submission.
“My heart broke when one of the female ‘protesters for hire’ said she was protesting because they do not want ‘stubborn women’ like Senator Natasha. Her words might have sounded like the rants of an illiterate, but those are the sentiments of the powerful people who surround Senator Natasha,” Fayemi stated.
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