Bisi Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti State, has strongly criticized ex-senators Florence Ita-Giwa, Biodun Olujimi and Ireti Kingibe for their demeaning remarks on the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan saga.
In a piece titled ‘Not About Natasha’ published on Saturday, Bisi Fayemi said the submissions of Olujimi, Kingibe and Ita-Giwa were “extremely disappointing”.
“After she dropped the bomb, there was a flurry of activities. Senator Ireti Kingibe, a serving female Senator and two former female Senators – Senator Abiodun Olujimi and Senator Florence ita-Giwa, were invited to share their views,” she said.
“All three Senators are older friends or at least acquaintances of mine, and I have a lot of respect for them. However, I found their submissions extremely disappointing.
“It is one thing to argue that it is important to follow the rules. I don’t think anyone will insist on flouting the rules of such an important institution, especially if they are applied fairly and not subjectively.
“It was however clear that Senator Natasha felt beleaguered, and she believed that there was a score the Senate President wanted to settle with her.
“If this was the case, then I would have expected the three Senators to support a process that would enable Senator Natasha shed light on her serious allegations of sexual harassment (beyond national television) and for the Senate President to defend himself in a transparent manner.”
Bisi Fayemi said she was horrified that the trio could not stand up for another woman.
“To my horror, none of the female Senators deemed it necessary to stand up for another woman. Even if, in their opinion, Senator Natasha was misguided on matters of process and temperament, she was still entitled to have her fears and concerns heard,” she added.
“It is so painful that all three of them missed an opportunity to see the bigger picture, and address the constant intimidation, gaslighting and belittling women in leadership positions go through.”
