Bisi Fayemi Shakes Political Circles, Slams Ita-Giwa, Olujimi, Kingibe Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Saga

Fayemi accused the female lawmakers of failing to support Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment after a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate.

In separate television appearances, Ita-Giwa called Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions a sign of weakness, while Olujimi advised her to remain composed and strong. Kingibe suggested that the senator had overreacted to the seat reallocation.

‘It Wasn’t About Senate Rules’

In an article titled ‘Not About Natasha’, Fayemi condemned the remarks as deeply disappointing.

Following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statement, there was significant media attention, leading to an invitation for Ita-Giwa, Olujimi, and Kingibe to share their views. Fayemi, who holds these women in high regard, expressed her dissatisfaction with their responses.

“It’s one thing to argue for the importance of following rules, but it’s another to recognize when those rules are used as a tool to silence a woman,” Fayemi wrote.

She suggested that the actions of the Senate President appeared to be retaliatory and called for a fair process that would allow both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio to defend themselves transparently.

‘They Failed to Stand Up for Another Woman’

Fayemi voiced her disappointment that none of the female senators chose to support Akpoti-Uduaghan, even if they disagreed with her stance.

“To my shock, none of the female Senators felt it was necessary to stand up for another woman. Even if they believed Natasha was wrong, she still deserved to be heard,” Fayemi stated. “It’s disheartening that they missed the larger issue—the ongoing intimidation, belittling, and undermining of women in leadership roles.”

‘This Is A Full-Scale War On Women’

As a staunch advocate for women’s rights, Fayemi argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension reflected a broader societal issue: the way women are treated in public life and the workplace.

“To all the women who have publicly taken a stance against Senator Natasha, I have news for you: you’re not fighting the same battle as most male senators, and you’re not even on the same page,” she concluded.