Former federal lawmaker Florence Ita-Giwa has criticised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for publicly accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Speaking on ARISE TV on Tuesday, Ita-Giwa described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint as a “sign of weakness,” arguing that female lawmakers should consider themselves equal to their male counterparts rather than claim harassment.
“By the time you contest the elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed. So, you are all equal in that Senate,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, alleged last Friday that Akpabio persistently harassed her and became antagonistic after she rejected his advances.
While acknowledging her respect for Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ita-Giwa said she was disappointed by the senator’s public outcry.
“On this matter, I’m not with Senator Akpoti,” she stated. “Number one, it is the worst sign of weakness on a woman’s part for you to come out and accuse a man of making passes at you at that level.”
The Cross River politician advised female lawmakers to command respect and make themselves “unapproachable” to unwanted advances.
“You build so much confidence and make yourself unapproachable in the midst of men,” she said.
In July 2024, Akpabio scolded Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking in the Senate without being recognised, telling her the Senate was not a “nightclub.”
Asked how she would have handled a similar situation, Ita-Giwa said she would have held a press conference rather than engage in a shouting match over any grievances.
Meanwhile, the Senate has stated that it cannot investigate Akpabio over the harassment allegation unless a formal petition is submitted.
