The message Ita Giwa is sending to upcoming female youth is deeply troubling. Is she suggesting that young women should “play along” in the face of criminal sexual harassment because the women of her time had to endure it to climb to top positions? Is she implying that silence and submission are the price for success in politics?
Granted, in her heyday, it was both unheard of and taboo for female politicians to openly complain about or allege sexual harassment. It was a time when such misconduct was silently accepted and understood as part of the system. But times have changed. This is a different generation—one where awareness of gender rights, workplace ethics, and legal protections has expanded, even if the conventional norm of using power and poverty to weaponize sexual exploitation still lingers.
We all have daughters, sisters, or young female relatives navigating their paths in life. The real question is, if your daughter found herself in such a situation, would you expect her to submit, to “play along,” or to “play ball” just to protect her career or future opportunities? Would you advise her to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, normalizing a culture of coercion and exploitation?
Many highly placed Nigerian women may frown upon Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s stance, dismissing it as unnecessary drama. They might say, “What’s the big deal? She should move on and stop distracting the public.” This mindset reflects a troubling reality—one where women, particularly those who have risen through the ranks in a male-dominated political system, have been conditioned to endure and normalize inappropriate behavior rather than challenge it.
However, only a woman who truly respects herself and understands the long-term implications of systemic misconduct would have the courage to follow through with this matter, even at the risk of public scrutiny. Appearing on national television to raise such an issue is not an easy decision—it is a statement of principle.
Let’s all agree that, in the short term, this may be negative and counterproductive publicity. If she were merely seeking attention, as some allege, it could indeed backfire. But public perception should not override the importance of justice and institutional integrity. The notion that “there’s no smoke without fire” only underscores the need for due process. It is now up to the Senate Ethics Committee and, if necessary, the courts to objectively examine the facts and determine whether there is truth to her claims. Regardless of the outcome, what matters is that a precedent is set—one where serious allegations are investigated rather than dismissed as mere distractions.
The standards we set today define the society our daughters will inherit. If we excuse or downplay misconduct, we are essentially telling young women that their dignity is conditional, their voice is expendable, and their success is tied to their ability to tolerate inappropriate behavior. No woman—regardless of status or ambition—should be placed in such a position. A just society demands accountability, not silent endurance.
Women who have the courage to speak out against harassment must be encouraged and supported, not silenced or shamed. If allegations are made, they should be subjected to due process—investigated thoroughly, fairly, and impartially, either by a competent panel or a court of law. The credibility of such claims must be established through overwhelming evidence, not dismissed outright based on outdated notions of political survival.
It is also deeply concerning that, in an issue of this nature, respected figures in society are falling over themselves to be seen as aligning with power—power that has an enormous capacity for favors. This is not just disappointing but morally bankrupt. In cases where integrity and justice are at stake, silence would have been golden. Instead of rushing to defend the powerful, prominent individuals should allow due process to take its course. By choosing opportunism over principle, they send a dangerous message: that power, not truth, determines justice.
By downplaying the issue, Ita Giwa is not just defending an individual; she is reinforcing a culture of impunity that tells young women that their dignity is negotiable, that their success must be bought with silence, and that the system is beyond reform. This is a betrayal of the very progress that feminism and women’s rights movements have fought for. If we are to build a just and accountable society, we must abandon the toxic mindset that normalizes harassment and instead champion a culture where justice is accessible to all, regardless of gender or status.
This is my take, whats yours?
Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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