Rufai Oseni, anchor of the Arise Television Morning Show, has chided Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his remarks directed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during a plenary session on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Senator Akpoti, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District stood up during the Senate session to express her opposition to a bill being rejected by the red chamber.

In an attempt to correct Senator Akpoti and remind her that she needed to be recognized before speaking, Akpabio said, "In the chamber, you must be recognised before speaking. We are not in a nightclub."

This comment prompted various reactions from Nigerians including Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese of Arise Television.

Oseni challenged Akpabio to address Senator Ali Ndume in the same manner he addressed Senator Akpoti, labelling his words as sexist.

Rufai Oseni said, “It is a very sexist word and I challenge Mr Akpabio to say that to a fellow Senator like Ali Ndume. Dem no born am well. He won’t be able to say it. What hurt me the most in all of this, after the lady, Natasha has said ‘pardon me’, I thought you should have piped down. She acknowledged the fact of procedure and she said pardon me. After that then you went ahead to say, ‘you’re not in a night club’.”

Additionally, award-winning media personality and co-host of the Arise Television Morning Show, Ayo Mairo-Ese criticised the Senate President’s comment as derogatory and dismissive.

She expressed concerns about women being discouraged from participating in politics due to such behaviour from Akpabio.

Mairo-Ese demanded an apology from Senator Akpabio for both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Ugduaghan and women in general.

“It was derogatory, he dismissed her as if what she was saying had no relevance. I don’t think in all honesty, if we are being fair, I don’t think if it were a male counterpart he would have done the same.

Sometimes we have prejudices and biases that are even unconscious. We just speak, we don’t even recognize that. And this is at a time where we are trying to get more women into the legislative quarters. We have four women who are Senators out of a House of 106 and we have talked about how we need more representation in the Senate. Unfortunately, when women are shut down like that, publicly embarrassed, then it does not encourage more women to go in there or speak up. I think in fairness to her, she deserves an apology.

I believe that not just for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, but for every woman looking to be one day a Senator or hold a position in Nigeria,” she said.

Other Nigerians also shared their thoughts on social media.

Danjuma: "This is absolutely ridiculous, and he should be sued for that statement; why such a derogatory statement on her personality? This is very wrong, please."

Shafi'i Hamidu: "His choice of words is not good for a parliamentary address."

Yusuf: "Sha, we are not yet serious if we are still doing “say iii” and “say nay”

Watch the video below.