Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Submits Fresh Sexual Harassment Petition Against Akpabio Signed by Constituents

Written on 06/03/2025
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has re-submitted a formal petition to the Senate, alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio — this time, with the backing and signatures of her constituents.

During Thursday’s plenary session, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that the matter was not yet before any court, allowing the petition to proceed. In line with Senate procedures, the petition was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for a comprehensive investigation.

The committee has been given four weeks to investigate the allegations and submit its findings to the Senate.

This development marks the second time Akpoti-Uduaghan has brought the allegations to the Senate floor, after a previous petition was dismissed on Wednesday due to procedural errors.

The ongoing allegations and the formal probe underscore rising tensions in the upper legislative chamber and renew conversations around sexual harassment, gender equality, and accountability within Nigeria’s political space.

 


Meanwhile, there was a slightly tense moment before the start of Thursday’s plenary, as Senate Chief Whip Tahir Munguno raised concern over Senator Natasha’s repeated breach of Senate rules regarding protocol before proceedings.

Citing Order 55, Rule 1, Senator Munguno noted that all senators must stand still upon the presiding officer's entry until they have taken their seats. He alleged that Senator Natasha had persistently violated this rule and added that the issue had been widely reported in the media.

“I had to send one of the Sergeants-at-Arms to inform her that she was in breach of the rule,” he stated. “Mr. President, if you are seeking refuge under Order 10 of the rule book, then you cannot approbate and reprobate simultaneously. It is the institution she disrespects”.

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