Former Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa has sparked controversy by criticizing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, arguing that such claims undermine the strength of women in politics.
In a bold statement during an interview on Arise TV, Ita-Giwa asserted that women who have attained high-ranking positions, such as the Senate, should no longer be susceptible to sexual harassment. “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,” she remarked.
Her comments came in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her and later obstructed her legislative efforts after she rejected him. Ita-Giwa dismissed the claim, stating, “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.”
The former senator emphasized that women in politics must assert their authority and refuse to be intimidated, rather than focusing on past encounters. She urged female lawmakers to carry themselves with confidence, arguing that winning a senatorial seat is proof of strength and equality with male counterparts.
Ita-Giwa’s comments have sparked heated discussions about the challenges women face in Nigerian politics, with many questioning whether her stance helps or harms the fight against sexual misconduct in positions of power.
As the debate rages on, the incident highlights a broader conversation about how harassment claims are handled in Nigeria’s male-dominated political landscape.
