By Eve Omayrs
The escalating Senate showdown between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken a new turn, with Dr. Betty Akeredolu throwing her weight behind Natasha and calling out Akpabio’s handling of the controversy.
In a scathing tweet, Betty Akeredolu criticized Akpabio for allegedly dodging accountability by drafting his wife into the fight, rather than facing Senator Natasha head-on. She argued that in more civilized societies, Akpabio would have stepped down to clear his name instead of resorting to political maneuvering.
At the heart of the dispute is the alleged reassignment of Senate seats without prior notification—a move Natasha fiercely resisted, calling it disrespectful and an infringement on her rights. While some critics dismissed her response as sentimental, Akeredolu countered that Natasha’s boldness was exactly what Nigeria needed in a political landscape where women are often silenced.
With only four female senators out of 107, the gender imbalance in Nigeria’s National Assembly is glaring. Natasha’s defiance, much like Rosa Parks’ historic stand, has ignited fresh calls for systemic change. As Akeredolu put it, "Good girls don’t get corner offices"—a reminder that women must fight for their place at the table.