BREAKING: Sen. Natasha submits fresh petition against Akpabio, alleges sexual harrasment, abuse of office

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday officially submitted a petition to the Senate, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Citing Order 40 of the Senate Rules during a live session monitored by Vanguard, she stated that while she had previously made the allegations during a televised interview, she was now formally presenting them before the Senate. In response, Akpabio directed her to proceed with the submission.

Her petition came just hours after rival protests erupted at the National Assembly, with her supporters demanding Akpabio’s resignation while a pro-Akpabio group dismissed the accusations.

However, the matter sparked confusion in the Senate chamber when Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) argued that the petition could not be entertained.

He cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, claiming the case was sub judice since both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio’s wife, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, were already in court over a related matter.

He further stated that the petition was invalid because Senator Natasha signed it herself.

Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) also opposed referring the petition to the Ethics Committee, supporting Monguno’s argument and suggesting that the Senate hold a closed-door session instead.

At 12:31 p.m., Bamidele ended his remarks, but Akpabio ruled that the chamber would continue with the day’s proceedings due to visitors in the gallery observing the session.

The petition follows a heated confrontation during the Senate plenary two weeks ago when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio.

She arrived at the chamber to find her seat reassigned and her nameplate removed,