Female senators can’t be sexually harassed as such accusations reflect weakness–Former Senator Ita-Giwa chides Natasha

Former presidential adviser and ex-lawmaker, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of sexual harassment, stating that female senators cannot be harassed once they attain their positions in the Senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan recently alleged on a live television programme that Senate President Godswill Akpabio frustrated her attempts to raise motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State because she refused his alleged sexual advances.

Reacting to the claims on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa argued that female lawmakers should not make such allegations, as holding a senatorial position equates to being on equal footing with male colleagues.

“By the time you contest elections and get to Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed,” Ita-Giwa said. You go there to serve, and you are all equal in that place. And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) cannot happen in the Senate.”

While clarifying that she was not outrightly dismissing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim, Ita-Giwa maintained that making such accusations reflected weakness.

“I am not saying the lady is lying, but when you get to the Senate, you’re there as a person. You’re not there as a woman,” she stated.

When asked whether female lawmakers should remain silent about alleged sexual harassment by colleagues, Ita-Giwa reiterated her stance, insisting that such complaints suggest weakness.

“On this matter, I am not with Senator Akpoti. It is the worst sign of weakness on a woman’s part to come out and accuse a man of making passes at you at that level,” she added.

Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette, has since initiated multiple legal actions against Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged defamation.