Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment made against him by his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The issue came to light during a plenary session on Wednesday when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a petition against Akpabio.
In response, Akpabio firmly rejected the claims, saying, “I will like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment on the said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman for that matter. I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother who died in year 2000.”
However, the matter took another turn when Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, stating that the issue could not be addressed or sent to the Ethics Committee.
He noted that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, were already in court over a related matter, making it sub judice. Monguno further pointed out that, based on Senate rules, the petition was not valid because it was signed by the petitioner herself.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), also opposed the petition’s referral to the Ethics Committee. He supported Monguno’s argument and suggested that the Senators handle the matter privately in a closed-door session.
Despite the debate, Akpabio ruled that the Senate would continue with the day’s proceedings, citing the presence of visitors in the gallery as a reason to move forward.
