ITA-GIWA: Natasha's harassment claim a sign of 'weakness'

Former Cross-River South Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claim as a sign of weakness.

While speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, the lawmaker stated that women cannot be harassed when they become senators.

According to her, it is a sign of weakness for female lawmakers to make such claims.

“By the time you contest elections and get to (the) Senate, you have passed that stage of your life of being sexually harassed,” she said.

Recall, Natasha had earlier stated that Senator Akpabio frustrated her motions in Ajaokuta Steel Company because she allegedly refused his sexual advances.

Natasha & Akpabio — **Senator Natasha and Senator Akpabio**

However, Ita-Giwa, during her interview, said that as a Senate member, you have passed the stage of being sexually harassed. It is a stage where ‘you are all equal.’

“You go there to serve, and you are all equal in that place.”

“And again, it shows weakness; you don’t allow it. It (sexual harassment) can not happen in the Senate,” She said.

While addressing her view on the matter, she also said she isn’t laying off Natasha’s claim as lies.

“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.”

When asked if female lawmakers should remain silent in front of harassment from colleagues, the former presidential adviser, Ita-Giwa, maintained that such claims at that level reflect a sign of weakness.

“At that stage in politics, if you come out and say someone is sexually harassing you, it is a weakness.”

The lawmaker also maintained that she is not defending anyone, but such allegations do not, would, not, and should not happen in the Senate.

“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,” she said.

Recall that Senator Natasha’s conflict with Senator Akpabio began a week back when she discovered her Senate seat had been changed.