Betty Akeredolu, the wife of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has sharply criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for dragging his wife into the ongoing political dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The issue arose over the alleged reassignment of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat without her knowledge, a matter that has stirred controversy in the Senate.
In a statement shared on her official social media account, Betty Akeredolu described Akpabio’s actions as “highly disingenuous” and argued that, in more developed societies, Akpabio would have been expected to step down from office to clear his name rather than deflecting responsibility by involving his wife in the matter.
The controversy began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about the sudden reassignment of her seat in the Senate without her prior knowledge or consent. This move was seen by many as a violation of her rights and a disrespectful action against a democratically elected representative. Despite the practice being reportedly common in the past, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan chose to speak out, drawing attention to the issue and demanding accountability.
Betty Akeredolu praised the senator’s courage, pointing out that many male senators had previously stayed silent in similar situations. “A wrong approach can be corrected no matter how long it had been applied. That’s the argument,” she wrote, highlighting the importance of standing up against such injustices, no matter how ingrained they may be.
In her statement, Betty Akeredolu was particularly scathing of Senate President Akpabio’s handling of the situation. She expressed her disappointment at Akpabio’s decision to involve his wife in the dispute, suggesting that this move was a distraction from the real issues at hand.
“In more civilised climes, Akpabio would have, by now, stepped down from office to clear his name and fight his battle. Drafting his wife to fight Senator Natasha is highly disingenuous and an attempt to dodge the bullets, thereby throwing his wife under the bus. Dem miss road be dat!” Akeredolu said.
Her comments reflected her belief that Akpabio’s approach was an attempt to avoid personal responsibility by shifting the focus to his wife, which she felt was an unfair and underhanded tactic.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has become the focal point of this political dispute. In the face of the controversy surrounding her seat reassignment, she chose to speak out, calling attention to the injustice. Akeredolu applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan for her bravery in making her stance clear, despite knowing that this would likely attract backlash.
“Even if it had been done in the past and men, for whatever reason, cowardly decided to keep mute, but a bold Natasha bellied the cat by saying in unequivocal terms, that it was wrong, and we took notice,” Akeredolu stated. “A wrong approach can be corrected no matter how long it had been applied.”
Akeredolu’s support for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is rooted in the senator’s willingness to stand up against the status quo and call out what she saw as a deeply flawed system. Akeredolu highlighted that speaking out about such issues, particularly as a woman in the male-dominated Senate, requires immense courage.
“Natasha voiced her frustration, ‘having endured a lot,’ according to her. That’s courage! That’s the kind of women we should support to represent us at the national assembly,” Akeredolu highlighted. This comment reflects her broader support for women in politics and her belief that they should not be silenced or sidelined.
Betty Akeredolu also took the opportunity to address the broader issue of gender inequality in Nigerian politics. She pointed out the stark underrepresentation of women in the Senate, where there are only four female senators out of 107 members. This statistic, according to Akeredolu, is a source of shame for the country.
“Nigerian women have been so mistreated and overpowered in all spheres of life and consequently, cowed into silence. Is it not a BIG SHAME that Nigeria has only 4 female senators out of 107?” she asked. This question underscores the systemic barriers that women face in Nigerian politics, where patriarchal structures often limit their participation and influence.
Her statement reflects the frustration that many women feel about the lack of progress in achieving gender equality, particularly in positions of power. Akeredolu’s call for more women in leadership positions aligns with her broader advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights in Nigeria.
“The fight for justice, fairness, and equality should not be a battle fought by one person alone,” Akeredolu wrote. “We must all stand together and support those who have the courage to speak out and bring about the change that Nigeria desperately needs.”
