Sexual Harassment Allegations in Senate: Florence Ita-Giwa Calls Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Claims a ‘Sign of Weakness’
The ongoing controversy surrounding Senate President Godswill Akpabio and sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked nationwide debate, with former Senator Florence Ita-Giwa weighing in, dismissing the claims as a “sign of weakness.”
The altercation between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, stemmed from a recent re-arrangement of seating in the red chamber. Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted her reassigned seat, asserting that the move was a deliberate attempt to silence her.
On February 25, the Senate referred her case to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review. Three days later, she accused Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her both in his office and at his residence in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on Arise TV’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa dismissed the possibility of sexual harassment occurring at such a high level of political office.
“By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed,” she said. “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.”
While maintaining that she was not calling Akpoti-Uduaghan a liar, Ita-Giwa argued that women in the Senate should be strong enough to withstand inappropriate advances. “At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness,” she added.
“I am not with Senator Akpoti on this matter. It is the worst sign of weakness on a woman’s part to come out and accuse a man of making passes at you at that level.”
Akpabio has yet to respond to the allegations, but his wife, Ekaette, has publicly condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan and has filed a defamation lawsuit against her.
The claims have drawn reactions from prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, who have called for a thorough investigation into the matter.
