Former lawmaker Senator Ayodele Arise has sparked controversy with his remarks on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that every beautiful woman is subject to sexual advances worldwide.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Saturday, Arise questioned the decision to make the matter a national issue, suggesting that both parties should have handled it privately.
Arise’s Position on Sexual Harassment Claims
The former Ekiti North Senator (2007–2011) argued that there is often sympathy towards women in such cases but stressed the need to differentiate between inappropriate gestures and legal offences.
“Even compliments like ‘you are beautiful’ could be termed sexual harassment. We need to define the boundaries. The law only recognises clear cases like rape, which can be proven,” he said.
Arise also questioned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction, saying she could have simply rejected the alleged advance.
“If she were the President of Nigeria, would she accuse someone of sexual harassment? She could have removed her hand when she said the Senate President held it and let him know it was a no-go area.”
Criticism of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
Addressing the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, Arise condemned the decision, stating that it violates democratic representation.
“When you suspend an elected senator, you deprive their district of representation. The courts have ruled in past cases that six months is too long and illegal. A suspension should not exceed 30 days,” he said.
Background of the Controversy
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, on February 20, 2025, submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio on the Senate floor. In response, Akpabio denied the allegation, urging Nigerians to avoid premature conclusions.
The Senate later suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, following a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which cited multiple violations of Senate rules.
The suspension has since drawn widespread criticism from legal experts, advocacy groups, and the public, with many questioning the fairness of the Senate’s decision.