Former Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has weighed in on the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ita-Giwa also dismissed them as a sign of weakness rather than a fight for justice.
Her remarks have ignited a fresh debate on power dynamics and gender equality within Nigeria’s political sphere.
Akpoti-Uduaghan recently accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during his birthday celebration in December 2023, alleging that her refusal led to roadblocks against her legislative motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State. The claims have since drawn mixed reactions from the public and political figures alike.
Ita-Giwa, a veteran politician and former senator representing Cross River South, pushed back against the allegations, asserting that female lawmakers should not be subjected to such situations if they command their space properly. “By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed,” she declared.
She further argued that making such claims at the senatorial level portrays weakness rather than resilience, adding, “It shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) cannot happen in the Senate.”
While clarifying that she was not outrightly discrediting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, Ita-Giwa emphasized that women in politics should assert their authority and be seen as equals to their male counterparts.
The controversy gained momentum after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate seat was reportedly changed, leading to a moment of tension during a plenary session. She linked the move to an ongoing fallout from her alleged encounter with Akpabio, stating that her rejection of his advances had led to political repercussions.
As of now, Akpabio has not issued a direct response to the allegations, but his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has strongly refuted the claims and has reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ita-Giwa’s remarks have fueled further discussions on the realities of harassment, gender dynamics, and the unspoken codes of survival in Nigeria’s male-dominated political space. While some agree with her call for resilience, others argue that dismissing harassment claims outright only perpetuates a culture of silence and intimidation in governance.
