Senator Ita Giwa has advised Senator Florence Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to expect more attacks on her person in the face of her recent win in the Court of Appeal as Senator representing Kogi central.
A former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Giwa’s warning comes on the heels of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation that the governor of the state, Yahaya Bello sent some hoodlums to kill her during the last election.
Governor Bello has since congratulated her after the Court’s ruling that she defeated the All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate in the election.
She said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s win is a victory for women, urging more women to join active politics.
Speaking in a statement, Senator Giwa said the senator is a strong fighter for women participation in politics.
She, however, warned her that the attack on Akpoti-Uduaghan will be stepped up by her detractors, adding that she should not rest after the Court’s Verdict.
Giwa stated on Wednesday that she too was a subject of attack in her political career.
The statement said in part: “Of truth, it reminds me of the overwhelming impediments put in my way when I ran for my first election 3 decades ago.
“It may surprise many, but to this day, the men I defeated are still bitter, and every now and again, they lash out at me. I, however, must caution Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that this victory may not be the end of physical, emotional, and verbal violence from recalcitrant male politicians.
” If anything, this victory is bound to attract more attacks as it would appear that in Nigerian politics, it is a crime to be a beautiful, articulate, and principled woman. I therefore urge her to remain courageous and steadfast over the course of her blossoming political career.
“While women ought to be glad about her victory, it is certainly not yet uhuru for women in politics.The number of women in elected office is still embarrassingly abysmal.
“Natasha’s epic battle with powerful men in her state is sadly the lot of most women in politics who have to battle unprincipled male politicians for political space. ln the cause of my political career, I have had to confront and beat back unscrupulous male politicians who have continually tried to intimidate me politically.
“As I congratulate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan , I wish to challenge other women in politics to be inspired by her doggedness. We must push on until we women form a critical mass within the Nigerian political space.”
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