Nigerian Senate dismissed the sexual harrassment petition filed by Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio

The Senate on Wednesday dismissed the sexual harrassment petition filed by Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, describing it as ‘dead on arrival.’

The red chamber described her action as a violation of the Senate Standing Rules.
This is as Akpoti-Uduaghan shunned the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions which was conducting a review of her face-off with Akpabio over sitting arrangements in the senate.

The kogi senator had in an interview on Arise Television alleged that Akpabio made sexual advances towards her during a visit to his residence in his home state of Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.

She alleged that Akpabio held her hand, led her around his house, and made sexual advances towards her while her husband was trailing behind them.

She further claimed that Akpabio had, on a separate occasion, asked her to ‘make him happy’ if she wanted her motions to receive seamless consideration on the floor of the Senate.
The allegations came days after the Senate unanimously voted to refer her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for protesting the new sitting arrangements in the upper chamber.

But the Senate President denied the sexual harassment claims during Wednesday’s plenary, stating that he has the highest respect for women. He described the allegation as false and baseless.

“On February 20, 2025, some spurious allegations were making the rounds on social media and on television of purported harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. While I am aware that the matters are in court; I would like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment.

“I have my siblings who were raised very well by my late single mother through very difficult times. She died in the year 2000. I, therefore, have the highest regard for women.

“I also wish to say that I have four beautiful daughters; at no time will I ever harass any woman. I never did so. In addition, even as a State governor, I was awarded various awards. One of them was “The most gender-friendly governor” in Nigeria. I served between 2007 and 2015. In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and members of the social media, to await the court’s decision. Please do not jump to conclusions on this allegation,” he pleaded.

Shortly after the commencement of plenary,  Akpoti-Uduaghan formally submitted a petition to the Senate which was referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Akpabio.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno, described her action as a violation of the Senate Standing Rules.