Former senator Florence Ita-Giwa dismissed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of sexual harassment in the Senate, arguing that female lawmakers should not portray themselves as victims. She insisted that winning a senatorial seat eliminates the possibility of harassment, sparking debates on gender dynamics and power struggles in Nigerian politics.
Former presidential adviser and ex-senator Florence Ita-Giwa has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of sexual harassment, arguing that women who attain senatorial positions cannot be victims of such misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan recently alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio obstructed her attempts to raise motions on the Ajaokuta Steel Company after she rejected his alleged advances. However, in an interview on Arise TV, Ita-Giwa dismissed the claims, stating that female senators should not portray themselves as vulnerable.
"Once you contest and win a Senate seat, you are past the stage of being harassed. You are in the Senate to serve, and everyone there is equal," she asserted.
While clarifying that she was not outrightly dismissing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s account, Ita-Giwa maintained that making such allegations weakens the position of female lawmakers.
She further argued that public accusations of misconduct at the senatorial level portray women as weak, a stance that sparked mixed reactions. Some activists criticized her remarks, stating that power dynamics still play a role in harassment cases, regardless of a woman’s political position.
Despite the controversy, Ita-Giwa stood firm, insisting that women in politics should focus on their legislative duties rather than making public claims of inappropriate behavior.
The debate continues to fuel discussions about gender dynamics in Nigerian politics, with some calling for stronger protections for female lawmakers, while others echo Ita-Giwa’s belief in standing firm against discrimination without portraying women as victims.
