Former Presidential Adviser and ex-senator, Florence Ita-Giwa, has rejected Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Ita-Giwa stated that female senators are beyond the reach of sexual harassment, emphasizing that they are equals in the Senate and should not allow such issues to affect them.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that Akpabio blocked her efforts to raise motions concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company due to her refusal to engage in a sexual relationship with him. However, Ita-Giwa countered that once women become senators, they have passed the stage of their lives where they can be sexually harassed.

“By the time you contest elections and get to the Senate, you have passed that stage of your life,” Ita-Giwa remarked. “You go there to serve, and you are all equal.” She further emphasized that claiming sexual harassment as a female senator is a sign of weakness.

Ita-Giwa clarified that she was not discrediting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims but insisted that female senators should see themselves as equals to their male colleagues. “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,” she said.