A former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, on Monday said that the beauty of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has become a problem to her as men find it difficult to ignore her presence.
Ogunlewe said this in an interview on Arise News monitored by THE WHISTLER.
The Senate had last Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
Her salaries and allowances for the period was also suspended and her security details withdrawn. Also, she will not be allowed access to the premises of the National Assembly while the suspension lasts.
Her suspension followed the adoption of a report of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions which recommended the punitive measures.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan had engaged in a heated debate on the floor of the upper legislative chamber over a change in seating arrangements.
Days later, during an interview on Arise News, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her troubles in the Senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.
But speaking at the Arise TV interview, Ogunlewe said, “The female senators did not look at themselves as if they were inferior to men. They were even up to the task. If you even mention that Itadewa is a woman, the response you are going to get will make you ashamed of yourself because they will stand up to you,” he said.
Referring specifically to Akpoti-Uduaghan, he added, “But the beauty of Distinguished Senator Natasha is a problem to her.
When asked how can beauty be a problem, he said, “You know, men—when somebody who is pretty passes by you, your attitude will change. You can smile, you can wink, but you may not talk to her. But her beauty is a problem, there’s no doubt about that.”
He defended his stance by stating that it is natural for men to notice attractive women, adding, “It is a natural thing for a man to look at beautiful women. How can you be a man, and a beautiful woman is passing, and you close your eyes?”
