Former Cross River South Senator, Florence Ita-Giwa, has dismissed allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa stated that female lawmakers should not face such issues in the Senate, arguing that making such claims shows weakness.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of frustrating her motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company because she refused his alleged advances.
However, Ita-Giwa countered, saying, “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.”
She further noted, “And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) can not happen in the Senate.”
When asked whether female lawmakers should remain silent on harassment, Ita-Giwa insisted that speaking out on such matters at their level of leadership could be seen as a sign of vulnerability.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disagreement with Akpabio escalated last week when she discovered her Senate seat had been changed, leading to a brief disruption during plenary.
She later claimed on Arise TV that the issue began in December 2023, when she and her husband attended Akpabio’s birthday celebration. She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her, prompting her husband to advise caution.
While Akpabio has yet to respond to the accusations, his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has publicly rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims and has taken legal action against her for defamation.
