Natasha vs Akpabio: People and their judgmental attitude

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

I wonder why we always exhibit this attitude of “crucify him,crucify him” even when we can’t really determine if what a person is accused of is true or false. I believe the society will be much better when we all learn to be less judgemental about people and not comment on issues we can’t really prove their authenticity.

With particular reference to the issue between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Godswill Akpabio, many people have already judged the matter and concluded that it is a mere accusation from the female lawmaker. Why is that so? I am still perplexed at such pedestrian reasoning. Is it because she is a woman as many people have asserted?

For me, when someone, be the person, male or female lays certain accusations on either of the gender, and it is taken to court, people should take cognizance of the fact that the matter has become subjudice, and so they should learn to keep calm, or make constructive criticisms on such issue without destroying the res of the matter before the court, and outrightly condemning one party, or making inflammatory remarks. That is the norm in civilised climes.

Senator Natasha had accused Senator Akpabio of sexual harassment and political victimization. She disclosed certain points to buttress her claims, and has also taken the matter to court, it is only proper that everyone allows justice to take its full course, and not become judges in a case which we don’t know ‘why is which, and which is why’.

Yes, I know many may say that they have lost hope in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, yet it is still necessary that we keep calm and watch what plays out from the temple of justice. Due to the society we have found ourselves in, many are already of the opinion that the court may favour Akpabio as the odds always seem to regard the male folks in such cases, especially when it has to do with a ‘big fish’ in the political sphere, and the patriarchal nature of our society. Even at that, it is still imperative that we keep our fingers crossed as we watch what unfolds during the next court proceeding on March 25, 2025, when the case has been adjourned to.

Nevertheless, I have this to say to the female gender – let us learn to support and stand by our fellow women by not coming out to condemn them when they raise such concerns. It is better to keep silent on any issue which you cannot really say if the person involved is right or wrong than to come out publicly to speak against such person based on second -hand information you have generated from the social media or based on hearsay, or past mistakes. “It is only the person who wears the shoe that knows where it pinches him or her.”

Even though the information you may have at your disposal about such a person may have a semblance of truism, know that people do change, and so it is possible that the claims such a person is making at that material time may be true. It will, therefore, be unfair to judge them based on past mistakes, rumours, or probably because you don’t actually have good rapport with the person due to certain personal reservations. Mind you, nobody is infallible. In logic, it is called the fallacy of non-sequtur or hasty generalisation.

I am voicing this out because I have seen publications from some women groups condemning what Natasha has done, averring that it is a mere accusation. Even in the House of Representatives, it is quite disheartening that the few women there could not stand by her when the men did so for Akpabio. Even if they do not want to support her openly because of the fear of being marginalized, as we know what politics entails, they would have done that surreptitiously, than standing up at the chamber to show proof of not being on the same page with her. It is very appalling and unfortunate.

However, I want to commend the likes of former minister Oby Ezekwesili, who stood by Natasha and tweeted, saying “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, you will never walk alone,” . Also, Activist Rinu Oduala said, “Dear Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, if the whole world stands against you, I stand with you,”. I equally commend other women who have vowed to “fight back, pointing out that the incident highlights the broader harassment and discrimination women face in their workplaces. They also said “It is also a constant reminder of how the Senate has for the past 15 years, consistently rejected bills promoting gender equality”.

Women should learn to support their own, not just for cases like this, but in all aspects of life, for that is the major way we can be heard in the society. We need more women in diverse spheres of life, and so we should not by our own actions deprive ourselves of such opportunities.

We are neither trying to subjugate the male folks to our whims nor insinuating that we take over from the men. Rather, we want to complement them as partners because from creation, God made them male and female, and has brought both together to aid each other in every aspect of life.

Like I said earlier, the case between Senator Natasha and Senator Akpabio is still in court. Let us not preempt the outcome to avoid emotional upheaval. Let us trust that the judiciary will give the right judgement and set the records straight, at least, for posterity sake