By Ayomide Otitoju
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has once again brought forward allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, this time with a petition signed by her constituents.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Akpoti-Uduaghan was questioned on whether the matter was already before any court of law, to which she responded negatively. Following parliamentary protocol, she was directed to formally submit the petition, which was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for investigation. The committee has been granted four weeks to conduct its inquiry and present its findings to the Senate.
This marks the second time the Kogi Central senator has raised the allegation in the chamber, after a previous petition was dismissed on Wednesday due to procedural irregularities.
Senate Chief Whip Challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Rule Violations
A tense moment arose before the commencement of Thursday’s plenary as Senate Chief Whip Tahir Munguno called attention to what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violations of Senate protocol. Citing Order 55, Rule 1, Munguno stressed that all senators are required to stand still upon the entry of the presiding officer until they have taken their seats. He alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had persistently disregarded this rule, a matter he claimed 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,” Munguno stated. “Mr. President, if you are seeking refuge under Order 10 of the rule book, then you cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time. It is the institution that she is disrespecting.”
Directly addressing Akpoti-Uduaghan, Munguno urged her to adhere to Senate regulations and refrain from further infractions. “Senator Natasha, as my good friend and colleague, please ensure you comply and do not continue breaching the rules,” he said.
The Senate now awaits the Ethics Committee’s findings on the harassment allegations, which could have significant implications for both the complainant and the Senate leadership.
