Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has presented a petition to the Senate, alleging sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of her legislative duties by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The petition details several incidents in which she claims Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her and subsequently used his position to hinder her work in the Senate.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of the incidents took place on December 8, 2023, when she and her husband visited Akpabio’s residence in Akwa Ibom State. She claims that during this visit, Akpabio made inappropriate remarks suggesting that she should spend time alone with him. Despite her husband’s presence, he allegedly made indirect comments that implied a personal interest in her beyond a professional relationship. She stated that the encounter made her uncomfortable and raised concerns about the Senate President’s conduct.
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In a second instance, she alleges that in May 2024, Akpabio invited her to his private residence in Abuja under the pretense of discussing legislative matters. Upon arrival, she claims that Akpabio steered the conversation toward personal requests, suggesting that fulfilling his desires would result in political favors. She further alleges that her refusal to comply with his demands led to professional retaliation. She claims that a motion she proposed regarding the Ajaokuta Steel Company was repeatedly removed from the Senate’s Order Paper without a valid explanation. She believes this action was a direct consequence of her rejecting Akpabio’s advances.
On March 5, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a formal petition to the Senate, calling for an investigation into her allegations. However, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions dismissed the petition on procedural grounds. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, ruled that the petition was invalid because Akpoti-Uduaghan had personally signed it. According to Senate Order 40(4), a senator is not permitted to present a petition they have signed themselves. Due to this technicality, the committee refused to entertain the petition, stating that it was dead on arrival.
In response to the allegations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio strongly denied any wrongdoing. He stated that he has always upheld respect for women, attributing this to his upbringing by a single mother. He emphasized that he would never engage in such misconduct and dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Despite the dismissal of the petition, the Senate Committee on Ethics has decided to investigate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged disorderly conduct during a plenary session on February 20, 2025. This stems from a confrontation over seating arrangements, during which Akpabio allegedly referred to her as a “night club girl.” The remark reportedly caused tension in the Senate, and Akpabio later issued an apology for his words.
The accusations have sparked widespread debate and raised concerns about misconduct in Nigeria’s legislative system. Many have called for an independent investigation to ensure that the claims are properly addressed and that accountability is upheld within the Senate. The outcome of this controversy remains uncertain, but it has already drawn significant public attention and highlighted issues of gender dynamics, power, and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s political sphere.
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