PeakNews Online
Former Presidential Adviser and Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa, has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim of sexual harassment, asserting that female senators cannot be harassed once they attain such a position.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recently alleged during a live television interview that Senate President Godswill Akpabio frustrated her attempts to raise motions regarding the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State because she refused his sexual advances.
However, reacting to the claim on Arise TV on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Ita-Giwa argued that sexual harassment should not be an issue for women serving in the Senate. She described it as a sign of weakness for female lawmakers to make such accusations.
“By the time you contest elections and enter the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life where you can be sexually harassed. You are there to serve, and all senators are equal. It is a show of weakness to even allow such a situation to arise,” Ita-Giwa stated.
She clarified that she was not outrightly dismissing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim but maintained that female lawmakers should not see themselves as victims in such a setting.
“I’m not saying she is lying, but once you get to the Senate, you are there as a person, not as a woman. At that level in politics, coming forward to say someone is harassing you is a sign of weakness,” she added.
When asked whether female lawmakers should remain silent about sexual advances from colleagues, Ita-Giwa stood her ground, insisting that making such allegations only projects weakness.
“I do not support Senator Akpoti on this matter. The worst thing a woman can do at that level is to claim a man is making passes at her,” she said.
Ita-Giwa concluded by emphasizing that female senators must see themselves as equals to their male counterparts, as winning a senatorial seat is no easy feat.
