Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has expressed her disagreement with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ita-Giwa posits that once women are elected as senators, they cannot be considered victims of sexual harassment, as this would be perceived as a sign of weakness. This stance was made in response to Akpoti-Uduaghan's recent appearance on Arise TV, where she accused Akpabio of making unwanted advances and obstructing her legislative motions due to her refusal to comply.

Ita-Giwa's comments suggest that women in positions of authority, such as senators, should not claim to be sexually harassed. Her perspective has sparked debate, with some arguing that it undermines the seriousness of sexual harassment allegations. The controversy highlights differing views on how sexual harassment claims should be addressed within political circles.

In her words:

“By the time you contest elections and get to 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. And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) can not happen in the Senate.

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.

At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness.”

When asked if female lawmakers should keep quiet when their colleague sexually harasses them, Ita-Giwa insisted that it is a sign of weakness for female senators to accuse their colleagues of making passes at them.

“On this matter, I am not with Senator Akpoti. It is the worst kind of weakness on a woman’s part to come out and accuse a man of making passes at you at that level,” she said.

She maintained that female senators should see themselves as equal lawmakers to their male counterparts because winning senatorial elections is not easy.