Abuja, Nigeria – Former Presidential Adviser and ex-Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has responded to the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that women in the Senate cannot be sexually harassed once they are elected. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of frustrating her efforts to raise motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State, claiming it was retaliation for her refusal of his alleged sexual advances.
The allegation was made during a live television interview on Arise TV on March 4, 2025. In her reaction, Ita-Giwa, who represented the Cross River South Senatorial District, dismissed the idea that female lawmakers could be victims of sexual harassment after being elected to the Senate. She argued that achieving a senatorial seat elevates women beyond such vulnerabilities.
“By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed,” Ita-Giwa stated. “You go there to serve, and you are all equal in that place.”
Ita-Giwa further suggested that publicly complaining about sexual harassment in the Senate is a sign of weakness. “It shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) cannot happen in the Senate,” she added. While she clarified that she was not accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of lying, she emphasized that women in politics should be seen as equals to their male counterparts and should stand strong against any form of harassment.
“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,” Ita-Giwa remarked. She stressed that achieving a senatorial seat is a significant accomplishment that should empower female senators to assert themselves confidently.
Ita-Giwa also criticized the act of publicly accusing male colleagues of harassment, describing it as “the worst sign of weakness.” Her comments have ignited a broader debate about the treatment of women in Nigerian politics and the challenges they face in a male-dominated environment.
The controversy has raised questions about the implications for future claims of sexual misconduct in the political arena, with many calling for a more supportive and inclusive environment for women in leadership. As the discussion continues, stakeholders are urging for greater accountability and measures to ensure that all lawmakers, regardless of gender, can perform their duties without fear of harassment or discrimination.