Nobody becomes a General without fighting wars…contd from last week.
Nine years ago on 19th July, 2016, now Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the former Senator representing Lagos Central, had petitioned the leaderships of the APC and the Senate over her clash with Dino Melaye, who represents Kogi West. The petition followed an earlier letter to the acting Inspector of Police, Ibrahim Idris, in which she asked for “adequate security” for fear Mr. Melaye might kill her and threatened to rape her. The two Senators were members of the ruling APC in 2016. In Mrs. Tinubu’s letters, separately delivered to the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and former APC Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, she expressed worry that the Senate leadership had not taken action to address Mr. Melaye’s “threatening misconduct”. She also expressed regret that her and Mr. Melaye belong to the same party, and that the silence of the Senate leadership suggested “condoning the errant behaviour of the Senator. In the letter to Mr. Saraki, Mrs. Tinubu said during the session “over which you presided as the Senate President”, Mr. Melaye used “blatantly sexist and misogynist language offensive to every woman in Nigeria and every person who truly believes gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and future generations”. She said she had refrained from public comments in view of the Senate’s integrity, but complained that Mr. Melaye, “has become unmoved and has since paraded his misconduct in public as if to threaten a Female Senator is a badge of pride”.
If powerful women could face such level of intimidation and sexual harassment, what will happen to the average Nigerian woman? What will be the fate of a vulnerable Nigerian girl looking to make an income, seeking to put food on her table, wanting to get a degree, struggling to get that contract. The stench of sexual harassment is reeking everywhere. Every girl, woman, risk facing sexual harassment in Nigeria. This has to stop. Must a woman be sexualised? The weak men who are intimidated by the success, boldness and confidence of women will label her a prostitute to silence her. The moment a woman rises to the top, her vices are used against her to silence her. Good news, Senator Natasha is not one to be silenced with name calling. Natasha’s sexual harassment is every woman’s fight, it is a call for Justice and Institutional integrity. It is a national emergency that need urgent attention.
What happened in the Senate in the last two weeks is all shades of wrong. There is a petition. Things should be done properly. Senator Akpabio cannot be the judge in his own case if justice must be seen to be done. Nigerians have also lost trust in the Ethics Committee who are already seen to take sides with the Senate President. The Chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imaseun, must also recuse himself from the investigation due to his apparent bias against Senator Natasha to avoid undermining the integrity of the investigative process. This is a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy, integrity of the Senate and how Nigeria will continue to view and treat its female gender. This is beyond Natasha saga. Dismissing her petition on procedural grounds, shows how institutions in Nigeria handle allegations of sexual misconduct, against women and how perpetrators hide under power to further silence the female gender.
Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili on her X (Twitter) account @obyezeks, has this to say; “Today is NOT forever as I have always said in this country and been proven right often enough. All reasonable Nigerians should be proud of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She sat dignified to the end, in a room filled with men who collectively bullied her for daring to speak up for herself. Nigerian Women and all Real Men of goodwill should draw profound inspiration from her stoicism. There’s plenty of work ahead for all who believe in this Cause of unearthing the Truth on this issue. I hope those Senators in the Chamber of @NGRSenate today and the ones who conveniently disappeared all heard the last word of their inspiringly bold and unbowed colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan @NatashaAkpoti? She courageously said as she left the Chamber today: “This Injustice shall not be sustained”. The wise among them will be haunted by this until her words surely come to pass. The unwise among them will not even understand what she said. For all of us that care about our democratic processes and principles, we are glad that: “She Said What She Said!” A Woman like Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Former Senator Shehu Sani, also on his X (Twitter handle) @ShehuSani stated thus; “When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the Senators, it nearly earned me a SIX months suspension if not for Divine Intervention, Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue. Just know that if you are there and you blow whistle too loudly,cyou will be “On your Own”, no senator go bring him head or neck to support you.
Activist, Aisha Yesufu @AishaYesufu on her X handle wrote; “The injustice shall not be sustained- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan @NatashaAkpoti. She stood on business and she will not stand alone!!! The battle line has been drawn!!! Equity and justice will always trump tyranny and injustice. It just takes time!!!!
There is no doubt that we have not heard the last of the sexual harassment and intimidation saga. The way and manner the issue was brushed aside, threatens the dignity of womanhood and goes to show that the institution’s action was to protect its own. At a time where young girls are encouraged to aspire, this action will rather discourage them, showing them that a woman anywhere will be suppressed despite the level she attains. Justice should be served. Natasha deserves fair hearing. Let’s remember, Justice delayed is Justice denied.
The end.
