By Olukayode Oyeleye
A number of commentators have risen in the past couple of days to recast or spin narratives around the ongoing controversies surrounding the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Godswill Akpabio, the current President of the Nigerian Senate. Of interest is an attempt by Akpabio’s defenders to obfuscate facts and distract attention away from the real issues. In this, they have done a mediocre job which can only worsen the case more against Akpabio than against his accuser as he that is down needs fear no fall.
On the suggestion of weaponisation of feminism, it is important to understand what should be rational and acceptable boundary in this post-truth era. While the dangerous trends in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) wave blowing across the developed world is noteworthy, it is important to emphasise the need for boundaries to be set to curtail the excesses of those trying to have free ride on this DEI contraption and weaponisation of this in general as well as feminism in particular. But that is how far the argument meaningfully goes. It does not provide a shield or a sanctuary for oppressive tendencies of men in power.
The simple case of sexual harassment accusations that heightened the present controversies in the Senate was allowed to get out of hand by the man accused by Natasha. Truth remains constant like many laws of nature that defy changes in location, just as the law of gravity that says whatever is thrown up must come down ultimately. The attempts of Senate president in person of Godswill Akpabio to deal a heavy hand in response to Natasha’s outbursts went beyond his expectations. We are men. We know some antics men use when attempting to affirm their superiority. I have been subjected to subtle threat and harassment from a fellow Special Adviser in the same office, simply because he was appointed to act in a superior capacity and I refused to do certain things he wanted me to do. The opposite of what he boasted of happened. So, let’s get this issue clear. What goes on in the power environment most of the time defy simple calculation of 1 + 1 = 2.
I was watching the unfolding events in the Senate. If Akpabio had taken the initial honourable step of stepping aside for an investigation to be done, he would have won my admiration and, I believe, that of many other Nigerians. He would have won their sympathy too. He probably would have turned the tide against Natasha and he would have got my sympathy too except or until the case is proved against him.
Akpabio missed that opportunity and unwittingly took a wrong step of playing macho and wanting to sit in a Senate panel to hear his own case. How sensible is that? Moreover, his attempt to play cheap divisive politics of saying he was the first Senate President from his geopolitical zone after 36 years or so was disingenuous at the best and inane at its worst. I was very plain, direct and forthright in advising the two Ministers I served. If I had to advise Akpabio, I would have told him to step aside and let investigation be conducted. Leadership is shown better by examples not by mere precept.
Akpabio also destroyed many things in his attempt to exclude Natasha from the Senate for six months, with the attendant draconian conditions, a bad precedent that has been described as inconsistent with the 1999 constitution that is currently operational. A lawmaker is expected to uphold the law, not to operate outside its stipulations. In nature, I have not known of any species of animal that will stand by, or stand still, without fighting back when under attack. Akpabio did set the stage for everything else that Natasha is doing now. She may or may not return to the Senate as a result of the reactions of Akpabio and the other senators defending him without letting him defend himself.
But, it will be foolhardy to think that Natasha will go down without a fight. I fear, her going down may ultimately bring Akpabio down too as I observe what the endgame is looking like. At the onset, and seeing the haste and heavy-handedness deployed by the Senate, I quickly extrapolated that this will take international dimensions. That has happened. You can start a war when you like but you can hardly end a war when you like. Akpabio has inadvertently sparked off a global outrage that will cast a permanent aspersion on his name which will become a reference point in matters relating to chauvinistic, misogynistic and oppressive actions against women by men of means (power or money). He has fired up the zeal of many hitherto docile groups and will be a subject of discussions in international conferences and meetings where actions will be taken. He has provided a peg and a spark they need to form a rallying cry. Unfortunately, he will not be in those places to defend himself in spite of his official powers in government within Nigeria. If he had made a stitch in time, he would have saved a whole tear. Now, he will have to fight a battle on his reputation. I am wondering if or when he will win that battle
His handlers are not helping matters. The trending case of the outbursts of his defender and witness that has taken the social media by the storm is a pitiable turn of events. Notwithstanding the flawed statement of Oby Ezekwesili to him to “shut up,” the vitriolic reaction of Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has further confirmed the allegations against people trying to muffle Natasha’s voice or probably silence him. He is probably out to “whip” common sense into Natasha.
The fact that the investigation of the sexual harassment allegation is mishandled will continue to fuel speculation that he has something to hide and will haunt him for a long time. It doesn’t matter what he personally thinks by choosing the path of punishing Natasha under the guise of “gross misconduct.” I wonder what gross misconduct could be worse than men heckling, throwing objects at each other or punching each other on the floor of the Senate and those who did so in the past have got away with such acts.
Natasha has adopted the proverbial Yoruba folk tale of a toad and a snake fighting in the bush. And the toad told the snake that “our fight will be better done on the road.” Taking the fight to the road was what helped the toad to win the snake, as the passers-by had to club the snake to death. Akpabio did not choose this fight wisely.
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