Renowned feminist and former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate over its handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Fayemi described the events as a deliberate attempt to silence women in leadership, warning that the issue goes beyond one senator and reflects a wider culture of intimidation and misogyny.

Speaking on the controversy, Fayemi expressed disappointment in how the situation unfolded, particularly the lack of solidarity from fellow female politicians. “What happened in the Senate was not just about Natasha. It is about the systemic war against women in power,” she stated.

The incident began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, attempted to speak during a session but was denied recognition. After refusing to move to a newly assigned seat, she made allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio on national television. The fallout was immediate. Rather than investigate the claims, the Senate quickly moved to suspend her for six months, stripping her of all legislative privileges.

Fayemi criticized the Senate’s approach, pointing out that instead of addressing the allegations fairly, the institution focused on discrediting Akpoti-Uduaghan. She also condemned the response from female senators, including Senator Ireti Kingibe and former senators Abiodun Olujimi and Florence Ita-Giwa, for failing to stand by their colleague.

“It was painful to watch women in leadership miss an opportunity to challenge the culture of intimidation that so many of us have had to endure,” Fayemi remarked. She also took issue with Ita-Giwa’s claim that “no one can harass a female senator,” citing past incidents where female politicians faced open threats and public humiliation.

She recalled the 2016 case of former Senator Dino Melaye, who threatened to assault and impregnate Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the Senate chamber, a statement that sparked outrage but carried no consequences. “This is the same impunity that allows powerful men to humiliate and silence women when they refuse to conform,” Fayemi noted.

The backlash against Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated when Senator Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip, went on television to attack her personal life, suggesting that because of the number of children she has or the men she has been with, her allegations should not be taken seriously. Fayemi described his comments as a blatant example of the misogyny that women in leadership face.

The situation worsened when a group of female protesters took to the streets, denouncing Akpoti-Uduaghan for being “stubborn.” Fayemi dismissed their stance, arguing that their words only mirrored the views of those in power who expect women to be silent and obedient.

Reflecting on the events, Fayemi stated that the Senate’s handling of the issue was a calculated effort to humiliate and punish Akpoti-Uduaghan. She noted that suspending a senator for six months directly contradicts court rulings that prohibit legislative suspensions exceeding 14 days.

“The message is clear—any woman who refuses to play by the rules set by men will be dealt with,” she warned. “But this fight is not just about one woman. It is about the constant battle women in power face, the scrutiny of their personal lives, and the expectation that they must shrink themselves to survive.”

As Nigeria marked International Women’s Day, Fayemi called for a deeper conversation about gender equality in leadership. “The question is not whether Natasha is right or wrong,” she said. “The question is, how much longer will we allow ourselves to be silenced?”