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Summary
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has submitted a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, triggering objections from senior Senate leaders who argue that the matter is already in court. Natasha insists her petition is separate from an ongoing defamation lawsuit against a Senate aide. The heated exchange led to a brief rowdy session before the order was restored, with Natasha eventually walking out in protest. The petition has been referred to the ethics and public petitions committee, but strong opposition from key figures raises questions about its future.
In a video currently making rounds on social media, it has been revealed that on Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a plenary session in Abuja.
Rising under Order 40 of the Senate rules, Natasha informed her colleagues that she had previously made allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio on Arise TV. She stated that she was now formally presenting the matter as a petition before the Senate. Akpabio, presiding over the session, permitted her to proceed with the submission.
“Distinguished colleagues, this petition is hereby referred to the committee on code of conduct, ethics, and public petitions, which should revert to the Senate as soon as practicable,” Akpabio announced.
However, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno objected, arguing that the Senate could not entertain Natasha’s petition because the matter was already in court. Citing Order 40, Rule 7, he insisted that the Senate was barred from deliberating on issues subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
Natasha refuted Monguno’s claim, stating that he had misunderstood the situation. “This matter is not in court. The matter in court is a defamation case against the Senate President’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused me of dressing indecently to the Senate,” she said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also opposed the submission of the petition, insisting that the Senate could not bypass its rules. “We cannot relax our rules. This petition cannot stand. It is in court. It is defective. There is no way we can accept this petition,” Opeyemi said.
As tensions escalated, Opeyemi moved the Senate to enter a closed session. A brief rowdy scene followed before the order was restored. The Senate then proceeded with the day’s legislative business, but Natasha walked out in protest.
The clash comes after Natasha’s previous altercation with Akpabio on February 20 over Senate seating arrangements, which led to her referral to the disciplinary panel and subsequently, her calling him out for disrespectful remarks and filing a N100 bn defamation lawsuit against Akpabio.
Her petition now awaits review by the Senate Committee on ethics and Public Petitions, though opposition from key Senate leaders suggests an uphill battle.
Recent clips have also shown Nigerians trooping out en-masse to the Senate Building in Abuja, asking for Godswill Akpabio to step down from the post of Senate Leader. Economic policy expert and former Minister of Solid Minerals in Nigeria, Obiageli Ezekwesili, as well as popular actress Kate Henshaw, have also joined thousands of Nigerians to declare support for Natasha, with Oby stating in a post on X, “Natasha, you will never walk alone” and Kate Henshaw stating that “we (women) are the offspring of women-warriors” while drumming support for the Senator.
