Natasha vs Akpabio: First Lady Remi Tinubu advises women not to be cheap for men to harass

First Lady Remi Tinubu says the Nigerian Senate was doing the needful in addressing the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Kogi lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Oduaghan, adding women should not put themselves in a position men can harass them.

Mrs Tinubu, in a statement on Thursday by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, described the Senate as a mature chamber to be treated with respect,

“I know, with what is going on in the Senate, you may say, why am I not taking a position?” Mrs Tinubu said, referring to Mrs Akpoti-Oduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against Mr Akpabio.

“I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful because that’s what it is. It is an inside place and it’s a mature chamber. It’s a mature chamber, and it should be treated with respect. It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone,” Mrs Tinubu said.

Mrs Tinubu, a former senator, said women in the Senate must carry themselves in a manner that men cannot talk to them anyhow.

“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time, only that, women raise yourself, don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow,”Mrs Tinubu said.

The first lady’s statement comes amid Mrs Akpoti-Oduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against the Senate president.

Mr Akpabio denied Mrs Akpoti-Oduaghan’s allegation on Thursday during plenary. The Senate suspended the Kogi lawmaker, accusing her of breaching house rules and bringing shame to the Senate.

Mrs Akpoti-Oduaghan’s suspension has sparked criticisms from Nigerians, as many accused the upper chamber of sweeping the substance of her allegations under the carpet to protect Mr Akpabio.