Former senator representing Cross River South, Florence Ita-Giwa, has lambasted Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi-Central) of weakness, arguing she allowed herself to be sexually harassed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The sexual harassment claim, which has dominated social discourse and has shocked Nigerians, with many individuals and groups calling for Akpabio’s resignation, was revealed last week by the Kogi senator.
She claimed on Arise TV that her refusal to acquiesce to Akpabio’s sexual desire has made the Senate President deny her all her privileges.
But weighing in on the matter on Tuesday on Arise TV, Ita-Giwa vehemently defended Akpabio and blamed the female senator for placing herself where she could be sexually harassed.
She said she had worked amid men all her political life but never experienced sexual assault because “I don’t allow it.”
While contradicting herself that “I like the senator; I am not doubting her,” she noted, “You are a senator as a person, not a female or male to be sexually harassed. You are equal. It’s wrong to come out to say you were sexually harassed.”
The bewildered presenter asked if it was wrong to come out and “speak out.” The former senator, however, deflected the discussion, emphasising that “it is wrong for a senator who fought for the seat like other 108 senators to come and complain of sexual harassment.”
Ita-Giwa said, “On this matter, I’m not with you (Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan). 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.
“One hundred and nine senators; it is not easy to win election to the Senate.
“Now the Senate president is first among equals. We have arrived there as somebody. I had seven local governments with me, so I went there with strength. And my God, you know, I won this election.
“So I saw everybody there as equals, and then we sit down and decide who is going to lead. Every group there has to have a leader, which is what the Senate president is.
When pressed further about why she blamed the Kogi senator, she argued, “You contest elections and get to the Senate. You know you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed, really. If you go there, you don’t allow it; it cannot happen in the Senate.
“I’m not saying that the lady is lying, but again, you are there as a person. You are not there as a man or woman. It doesn’t matter what you are carrying, whatever.
“I’m saying that it does not; it would not happen in the Senate, and it should not happen in the Senate and again, I’m not here to defend anybody in politics.
“You know, people joke and say things to each other in politics.
“For me, my personal opinion is that at that stage (of politics), if you come and say that somebody is sexually harassing you, that is a weakness.
“You know, you make yourself unapproachable, alright? You don’t let anybody take you around and show you. You know you make yourself unapproachable,” she added.
