Former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has ignited debate with his claim that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s beauty poses a challenge for her in politics.
Ogunlewe made the statement during an interview on Arise News on Monday while discussing the Senate’s controversial six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged rule violations.
According to Ogunlewe, female senators hold their own in political discussions and do not consider themselves inferior to men. However, he suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s physical appearance influences how male colleagues react to her.
“The female senators do not see themselves as lesser than men. They stand their ground in debates,” he said. “But the beauty of Distinguished Senator Natasha is a problem for her.”
When asked to clarify, Ogunlewe explained, “You know how men are—when a beautiful woman walks by, attitudes change. You may smile, you may wink, but you may not approach her. But there’s no denying it—her beauty is a challenge.”
He went further, stating, “There’s no way a man won’t look when she walks past. It’s just natural.”
His remarks have since sparked reactions, with critics questioning whether appearance should play any role in political discourse.
