A heated controversy has erupted in the Nigerian Senate following allegations of sexual harassment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The claim has generated widespread debate, with former lawmaker Senator Florence Ita-Giwa dismissing the allegations and asserting that sexual harassment is not an issue at the Senate level.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, alleged that Akpabio had deliberately frustrated her motions on the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company because she rejected his alleged sexual advances.
She made the claim during a recent interview on Arise TV, where she detailed her experience and the challenges she faced in pushing for legislative progress on the matter.
Ita-Giwa Dismisses Allegation
Reacting to the allegations, former Cross River South Senator Ita-Giwa dismissed the claim, stating that female lawmakers should not be making such accusations. According to her, once a woman attains the position of senator, she has moved beyond the stage of being susceptible to sexual harassment.
She further argued that making such claims reflects weakness.
“By the time you contest elections and get to the 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,” Ita-Giwa said.
She added, “I am not saying the lady is lying, but when you get to the Senate, you are there as a person. You are not there as a woman.”
When questioned on whether female lawmakers should stay silent about potential harassment from their colleagues, Ita-Giwa insisted that making such allegations at the Senate level suggests vulnerability rather than strength.
She emphasized that senators, regardless of gender, should view themselves as equals in the legislative chamber.
The rift between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio reportedly began in December 2023 during a visit by Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband to Akpabio’s home for his birthday.
She alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances while showing her around, prompting her husband to caution her against being alone with him.
The tensions between the two escalated last week when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat in the Senate chamber had been moved without prior notice.
This led to a brief disruption during plenary as she protested the change, interpreting it as an act of political intimidation.
While Akpabio has not publicly responded to the allegations, his wife, Ekaette Akpabio, has taken legal action against Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a swift reaction, Ekaette filed a defamation lawsuit, demanding N250 billion in damages over what she described as an attempt to tarnish her husband’s reputation.
The allegations and Ita-Giwa’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions from political analysts, women’s rights groups, and the general public.
While some have sided with Ita-Giwa’s stance that female lawmakers should assert themselves as equals to their male colleagues, others argue that dismissing sexual harassment claims outright could discourage women from speaking up about abuse of power in political spaces.
The Senate has yet to officially address the matter, and it remains unclear whether any internal investigation will be conducted.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to push for an inquiry into the allegations, calling for more accountability in the leadership of the Senate.
The controversy highlights the broader issue of gender dynamics in Nigerian politics and raises questions about the treatment of women in positions of power.
As the debate unfolds, the response of the Senate and other key stakeholders will likely shape the discourse on gender equality and harassment in the nation’s political landscape.
With accusations flying and a defamation lawsuit now in play, the political drama surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims is far from over.
As Nigerians await further developments, the case underscores the importance of addressing issues of harassment, abuse of power, and the need for a more inclusive and respectful political environment.
