Former Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has addressed the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ita-Giwa dismissed these claims, suggesting that such allegations indicate a sign of weakness among female lawmakers.
During an interview on Arise TV, Ita-Giwa, who previously represented the Cross River South Senatorial District, expressed her views on the matter.
She asserted that once women attain the position of a senator, they should be beyond the stage of experiencing sexual harassment.
Ita-Giwa stated, “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 stressed that voicing such allegations at that level reflects weakness, adding, “At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness.”
Recall that the controversy started when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Akpabio of making inappropriate advances towards her.
She claimed that her refusal to entertain these advances led to her motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company being frustrated.
The situation escalated during a Senate session on February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned without prior notification, leading to a heated exchange between her and Akpabio.
In light of these allegations, the Senate has clarified its stance on initiating investigations. Senate Spokesman Adeyemi Adaramodu stated that the Senate does not act on claims made through media channels but only considers officially lodged complaints.
He emphasized, “There is no allegation before the Senate. There is none from anybody for that matter. So we don’t pick allegations on the television screen or from social media.”
Similarly, Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, reinforced this position, noting that without an official complaint, the Senate has no basis to establish a panel.
He remarked, “There is no petition anywhere. There is no complainant. So from where will the Senate as an institution set up a panel?”
In response to the allegations, Ekaette Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, has strongly denied the claims, labeling them as fabricated and baseless.
She asserted that both families had always maintained a cordial relationship and that no such incident occurred.
Mrs. Akpabio stated, “She insisted she was present on the said date at their residence and saw no such incident take place.”
Furthermore, Mrs. Akpabio has initiated legal action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, filing a ₦250 billion defamation lawsuit to address the claims made against her husband.