In a controversial statement, former Senator Ayodele Arise has weighed in on the ongoing sexual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

During an interview on Arise TV, Arise suggested that all attractive women are subjected to sexual gestures, whether appropriate or not, across the world.

“Every woman that is good-looking radically is subjected to such gestures. Even people take other people’s wives, not even Nigeria,” Arise said.

He added that the issue between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio should have been handled privately instead of being escalated into a national conversation.

Arise further commented on the broader nature of sexual harassment, stating, “Even compliments like you are beautiful and you are gorgeous could be termed as sexual harassment. So, we need to know where it starts and where the limit is.” However, he did emphasize that actions such as rape, which can be legally detected, should be the focus of such allegations.

Reflecting on the situation surrounding the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Arise condemned the Senate’s decision, arguing that a six-month suspension is too long and deprives a constituency of representation.

“When you suspend an elected person, you deprive that particular district of the right to representation,” he said, referencing legal rulings from cases involving other senators.

The situation ignited when Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a petition alleging sexual harassment by Akpabio, which he denied. Akpabio stressed his respect for women, referencing his past recognition as Nigeria’s most gender-friendly governor.

The controversy has also led to the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, citing multiple infractions against Senate rules.