Biodun Olujimi, a former senator has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central to withdraw her suit against Godswill Akpabio.
Gatekeepers News reports that Olujimi in an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable.”
Akpabio, the senate president, and Natasha had on February 29, engaged in a heated debate during the plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
The Senate on February 25, referred Natasha to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
The senator subsequently filed an N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio over an allegedly defamatory statement allegedly made by his legislative aide.
During an interview on Friday, Natasha alleged that her ordeal with the senate President began after she declined his s*xual advances.
Reacting, Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
She added that the Kogi senator’s request that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live is a “little overboard.”
Olujimi said the clash between Akpabio and Natasha should not have escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
She further expressed support for the probe of Akpoti’s allegations against Akpabio, adding that he is someone who jokes a lot, and usually makes fun of everything.
Olujimi said, “I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us.”
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.”
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.”
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.”
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.”
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.”
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible.”
