Female Senators Cannot Be Sexually Harassed Says Ita-Giwa

Former Cross River South Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has rejected claims of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Speaking in a television interview on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa stated that women who become senators should not make such allegations, arguing that once elected, female lawmakers are beyond the stage of being sexually harassed.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had previously accused Akpabio of blocking her motions on the Ajaokuta Steel Company due to her refusal of his sexual advances. She alleged that the harassment began during a visit to Akpabio’s home in December 2023, when he allegedly made inappropriate advances. Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her husband had warned her against being alone with Akpabio following the incident.

However, Ita-Giwa, a former presidential adviser, disagreed with the allegations. “By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed. You go there to serve, and you are all equal in that place.” She stated. Ita-Giwa added that it was a sign of weakness for female lawmakers to make such claims.

“I am not saying the lady is lying,” Ita-Giwa continued, “but when you get to the Senate, you’re there as a person. You’re not there as a woman.” She stressed that female senators should consider themselves equals to their male colleagues and that sexual harassment had no place in the Senate.

The dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio escalated last week when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her Senate seat had been changed, causing a brief disruption during a plenary session.

Akpabio has yet to comment on the allegations, but his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, condemning her claims.