Omotayo Adigun
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has ignited controversy with his remarks on the sexual harassment allegations leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, claiming that her beauty is her “problem.”
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Monday, Ogunlewe suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s physical appearance was a factor in the alleged harassment.
“Her beauty is a problem, there is no doubt about that. A woman should be skillful in navigating such situations. She is an endangered species, and I know some women who can find their way through no matter what happens,” he said.
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He went on to reference past comments by Akpabio, where the Senate President asserted that he was often surrounded by beautiful women but had never acted inappropriately. Ogunlewe reiterated this stance, adding, “Beauty is not a problem for him. It is natural for a man to look at a beautiful woman. How can he be a man, and a beautiful woman passes by, and he closes his eyes?”
Ogunlewe further argued that expressing romantic interest in a woman does not constitute sexual harassment. He also downplayed concerns about misconduct within the Senate, emphasizing that the alleged incident took place at Akpabio’s residence, rather than in an official capacity.
His comments have sparked widespread outrage, with critics accusing him of sexism and victim-blaming. Many have condemned his remarks as dismissive of the serious nature of harassment allegations, further fueling the already heated debate surrounding the case.