Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally submitted a petition to the Senate, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
This is the female Senator who had alleged sexual harrassment agains the Senate President. Her petition follows allegations she made during a national television interview last Friday.
Speaking under Order 40 of the Senate Rules on the floor on Wednesday, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “I am compressing my earlier allegations into a formal petition against the Senate President.”
Senate President Akpabio, chairing the session directed her to proceed with the submission.
Protests and Heated Reactions
The petition submission came hours after rival protests erupted at the National Assembly. Supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded Akpabio’s resignation, while pro-Akpabio groups dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The situation escalated inside the chambers when Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) argued that the petition could not be referred to the Ethics Committee. He cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, stating that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Petitions Senate President Akpabio Over Sexual Harassment, Abuse of Office pic.twitter.com/qKVaIUt6UD
— Africa Independent Television (@AIT_Online) March 5, 2025
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) supported Monguno’s position, advising a closed-door session to address the issue. However, Akpabio ruled that the Senate would proceed with its agenda, noting the presence of visitors in the gallery.
Rising Tensions in the Senate
All of this is traceable to a heated exchange during a plenary session two weeks ago when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio. She arrived to find her seat reassigned and her nameplate removed, prompting her to demand an explanation. “This is an unjustified move, and I demand answers,” she said, raising her voice in protest.
When the Senate President ordered her forceful removal, she retorted, “I am not afraid of you.” and resisted removal.
The unfolding events have deepened divisions within the Senate, with both sides standing firm. The petition and its implications are expected to dominate discussions in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile an interim court order is granted stopping the committee from sitting on the aforementioned matter. There had been speculations that some members of the committee may have plotted to suspend the female senator to help the Senate President.
As the 2027 political season approaches, the dispute could potential take on a political colouration.
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