Senate President Akpabio: Erelu Modupe Martins Denounces Unfair Dismissal, Cites Gender Bias.

 

 

Erelu Modupe Martins, a former deputy governorship candidate in Ondo State and a former women leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has publicly denounced the recent unlawful termination of her post as senior legislative assistant to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Erelu Martins, who also served as Deputy Director, Special Duty II for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said the action, taken without formal explanation, violated the terms of her appointment and highlighted a broader problem of gender inequality in Nigerian politics.

He expressed his deep disappointment, saying: “This kind of action coming from the high position of the President of the Senate is unwarranted.

“Public officials are expected to lead by example, but this incident highlights the unfair treatment of women in political positions.”

She highlighted the unequal treatment of men and women in politics, noting: “If it were a man, he is unlikely to be removed from that position without due process.

“My dismissal violates the terms of the agreement, which state that I can only be fired for cause, with one month’s notice or with pay in lieu of notice.”

Erelu Martins confirmed that these procedural requirements were not met in his case.

She lamented the persistent misogynistic attitudes women face in political office in Nigeria, saying: “This has to stop. I never expected to become a victim of the same struggle I fought for as a woman leader in Ondo State.”

She said she firmly believes that if she were a man, she would not have faced such unfair treatment from the Senate President.

“I have worked diligently on the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I deserve to be treated with respect as a committed member of the party,” she said.

He further implicated Senator Jimoh Ibrahim in his unjust dismissal, labelling him as an ungrateful individual who had benefited from his tireless mobilisation efforts during his senatorial campaign.

“It is well known that Senator Ibrahim has no electoral value,” he said.

He said: “This time he was able to secure his Senate seat only because of the support of leaders like me in Ondo State, who worked tirelessly to ensure his victory.”

Erelu Martins stressed that the cancellation of his nomination was likely motivated by Ibrahim’s disappointment after his defeat in the recent gubernatorial election against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

She reiterated her commitment to party unity, saying, “As a true progressive, I will always advocate for the best interests of our state, even when they diverge from the ambitions of others.”

Erelu Modupe Martins, who also served as the Director General (South) for the APC Ondo State Campaign, concluded her statement with a call to action: “My utmost concern is for the well-being of other women who may suffer similar injustices. I implore the Senate President to exercise caution when dealing with individuals like Jimoh Ibrahim, who routinely disregard established protocols and have a proven track record of betraying trust.”

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