A former lawmaker for Cross River South Senatorial District, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her claim of sexual harassment, stating that women cannot be harassed once they become senators.
Ita-Giwa who spoke on Arise TV on Tuesday, opined that it is a sign of weakness for female lawmakers to make such claims.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio frustrated her motions on Ajaokuta Steel Company because she refused his sexual passes.
Ita-Giwa, however, said, “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.
“And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) cannot 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 questioned if female lawmakers should remain silent about harassment from colleagues, Ita-Giwa, who is a former presidential aide, emphasized that bringing such complaints at that level displays 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 argued that female senators should view themselves as equals to their male counterparts, emphasizing that winning a senatorial election is no easy task.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disagreement with Akpabio began last week, when she realized her Senate seat had been altered, causing a small interruption during plenary.
During her Arise TV interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan said that the problem began in December 2023, when she and her husband went to Akpabio’s house for his birthday.
She said Akpabio made unwanted approaches while showing her around, prompting her husband to warn her against being alone with him.
While Akpabio has yet to respond to the allegations, his wife, Ekaette, has condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan and filed a defamation action against her.
