First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has emphasized that the Senate chamber should be regarded as a place of honour, not a place for controversy.
Her statement came in response to the ongoing sexual harassment allegations made by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking to journalists ahead of International Women’s Day, Tinubu urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership roles and avoid being sidelined.
Referring to the issues in the Senate, she said, “You may wonder why I am not taking a stand. I believe the Senate is handling the situation appropriately. It’s a mature chamber, and it deserves respect. Simply being in that chamber is an honour.”
The First Lady, who served in the Senate for 12 years, also advised women to stand firm in their positions. “Women, raise yourselves, don’t let men talk down to you. You can always shut them down before they start,” she added.
She acknowledged the progress women have made over time, praising both historical matriarchs and contemporary figures like Zuriel Oduwole, who advocates for peace. Tinubu also expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian youths to excel, urging women to continue pursuing excellence.
The allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan stem from an incident on February 20, when she and Akpabio clashed over seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan later accused Akpabio of making sexual advances, which she rejected, leading to a series of conflicts.
She submitted a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio, which was later dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges due to procedural issues.
