By Daniel Edon
Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Nigerian Minister of Education, recently appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. She was there to support Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment and abuse of power.
Ezekwesili, said that she represents Women Of Politics, a global organization of both Serving and former Female Presidents, Prime Ministers, Parliamentarian, National Executive Council Members. She claimed that women in Nigeria are being sexually abused and silenced. She criticized the Nigerian Senate for abusing power and operating under Standard Rules that contradict Nigeria’s constitution.
However, some people have questioned Ezekwesili’s motives, citing her history of campaigning against governments. Her involvement in the petition has sparked debate, with some accusing her of hypocrisy given her own past actions.
The situation has raised questions about the boundaries between legitimate advocacy and personal agendas. Some have expressed concern that the campaign against Akpabio may be politically motivated, rather than a genuine attempt to address sexual harassment.
Ultimately, the incident highlights the complexities of addressing sexual harassment in Nigeria and the need for nuanced discussions that prioritize fairness, respect, and accountability
She is remotely campaigning for the removal of the Senate President capitalizing on the unfounded sexual harassment allegation made by the suspended Senator Natasha. She is known for this act of running down governments. During Goodluck Jonathan government she was campaigning against his second term elections using missing Chibok school girls as her strong point.
Trust Internet, immediately she joined Natasha in calling for the head of the Senate President over a mere verbal allegation of sexual harassment, her pictures sitting in a very compromising and inappropriate way with her boss, former president Obasanjo, popped up.
For an international figure who claims to be an advocate for the Right of the Girl Child and Women, and who is fighting against sexual harassment, seen in the public in such compromising way with a married man is absurd. This is action has potentially undermine her credibility as an advocate for women’s rights and dignity.
How pretentious people can be. Did she think about her children and grandchildren and even the women she claimed to protect? What lesson is she giving to the girl child who might have stumbled on this pictures.
Did Akpabio get this far with Senator Natasha either in private or in the public that she is campaigning for him to resign or step down as President of the Senate?
Note here that Natasha never said Akpabio was physical with her like how Dr. Oby is seen here with Obasanjo, but only said he used sentences like “I will invite you over to my house so we have quality time together” and that she should make him happy. However, from my judgement, those comments if at all Akpabio made them, are innocuous and doesn’t constitute sexual harassment.
Having quality time with a colleague can’t constitute sexual harassment. Come to think of it when she traveled with the Senate President to Geneva, didn’t she have quality time with him-drinking, wining and taking pictures that she posted all over her social media platforms. Did she report that she was sexually assaulted or harassed at Geneva? What quality time again did she think Senator Akpabio meant.
Again, does ‘Making Someone Happy” a sexual invitation or harassment? Doesn’t she know that if she decamp from PDP to APC-the President’s Political Party, she could have made the President of the Senate happy? Why couldn’t she think along that line? Must it mean sleeping together? Anyways, that’s her mind construction based on her experience with men.
I watched a video where a guy asked a girl what style she likes most, she started mentioning missionary, cowgirl, 69, and other sex styles, shockingly to her, the guy told her that he meant hair styles. She was embarrassed. So everything depends on your mindset.
I really pity some people especially men who takes these self acclaimed women activists serious over a pre-meditated and and a well- funded campaign/plot to disgrace the Senate President out of office.
