Former Presidential Adviser and ex-Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment, asserting that once women attain senatorial positions, they can no longer be harassed.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently alleged during a live television interview that Senate President Godswill Akpabio frustrated her efforts to raise motions on the Ajaokuta Steel Company because she refused his sexual advances.
However, reacting to the claims on Arise TV on Tuesday, 4th March 2025, Ita-Giwa dismissed the notion that female senators could be victims of sexual harassment, stating that such complaints are a sign of weakness.
“By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of being sexually harassed. You are there to serve, and everyone is equal in that space,” she said.
While clarifying that she was not calling Akpoti-Uduaghan a liar, Ita-Giwa maintained that female senators should not portray themselves as victims in a position where they are expected to be equals with their male counterparts.
“At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it shows weakness,” she insisted.
When asked whether female lawmakers should remain silent if harassed by their colleagues, Ita-Giwa doubled down on her stance, arguing that accusing a male senator of inappropriate behaviour at that level is a “sign of weakness.”
“I do not support Senator Akpoti on this matter,” she added. “It is the worst display of weakness for a woman to publicly accuse a man of making advances at her in the Senate.”
She concluded that female senators should recognise their equal status in the legislative chamber, emphasising that winning a senatorial election is a tough feat that places them on the same footing as their male colleagues.
