Natasha: Why women can’t be sexually harassed once they reach senate – Ita-Giwa

Former Cross River South Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has dismissed the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa argued that female senators cannot be harassed, stating that making such claims is a sign of weakness.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio frustrated her motions on the Ajaokuta Steel Company because she refused his sexual advances.

However, Ita-Giwa insists that once a woman attains the position of a senator, she holds enough authority to prevent any form of harassment.

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Ita-Giwa, however, said, “By the time you contest elections and get to 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.

“And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) can not happen in the Senate.

“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.”

When asked if female lawmakers should remain silent about harassment from colleagues, Ita-Giwa, who is a former presidential adviser, insisted that making such allegations at that level reflects weakness.

“At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness,” Ita-Giwa said.

She added, “I’m saying that it does not; it would not happen in the Senate, and it should not happen in the Senate and again, I’m not here to defend anybody in politics.”

She maintained that female senators should see themselves as equals to their male counterparts, emphasising that winning a senatorial election is no small feat.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conflict with Akpabio began last week when she discovered her Senate seat had been changed, leading to a brief disruption during plenary.

During her Arise TV appearance, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the issue started in December 2023 when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s home for his birthday.

She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances while showing her around, prompting her husband to warn her against being alone with him.

While Akpabio has yet to respond to the allegation, his wife, Ekaette, has denounced Akpoti-Uduaghan and filed a defamation lawsuit against her.