Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Nigerian senator, claims that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s beauty may be hindering her success in the male-dominated Senate. He argued that her attractiveness causes distractions among male colleagues, reflecting on the challenges women in politics face, including financial barriers to running for office.
Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former senator, has suggested that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s physical appearance may be working against her in the male-dominated Nigerian Senate. Ogunlewe, who represented Lagos East from 1999 to 2003 and served as Minister of Works under President Olusegun Obasanjo, made the controversial comment during an interview on Arise TV.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator from Kogi Central, recently accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her. This allegation came after an altercation over seating arrangements, which led to Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension on March 6. Ogunlewe, reflecting on the dynamics of the Senate, argued that the senator's attractiveness might be complicating her ability to succeed, suggesting that men in the Senate may view her beauty in a way that detracts from her political presence.
“There is no doubt about it, her beauty is a problem,” Ogunlewe stated. “When a beautiful woman walks by, men will look. It’s natural. But in this case, it might be clouding the way others see her political role.” He emphasized that men often behave differently around attractive women, which could undermine Akpoti-Uduaghan’s professional standing in the Senate.
While the former senator acknowledged that past female senators, such as Florence Ita-Giwa, had commanded respect and not seen themselves as inferior to their male counterparts, he pointed out that women in politics face additional challenges. He lamented the high cost of running for office in Nigeria, stating that the financial barrier makes it especially difficult for women to succeed in federal legislative roles.
Ogunlewe also criticized the Nigerian political system for its reliance on financial resources over competence, adding that women in politics often find it prohibitively expensive to campaign for seats in the Senate. “To run for Senate, it could take up to N50 billion to get started,” he said.
The remarks have sparked debates about the role of gender in Nigerian politics and the challenges faced by women seeking to make a mark in the male-dominated political arena. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been vocal about gender inequality and her political struggles, has yet to comment on Ogunlewe’s statements.
