By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
On March 5, 2025, the Senate rejected a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti submitted the petition at the start of the plenary, but it sparked a heated exchange among lawmakers.
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno, argued that “Senate rules must be strictly adhered to,” stressing that any deviation could lead to “chaos and anarchy.”
He pointed out that the petition was invalid because Akpoti had signed it herself, saying, “Senator Natasha had signed her own petition, rendering it procedurally invalid.”
Munguno also invoked Order 40(4), which prohibits discussing matters that are already before the courts, reinforcing that the petition could not be entertained.
Akpoti, however, pushed back, clarifying that the issue at hand was not sexual harassment but rather “malicious comments” about her dressing.
Despite being asked to stop, she invoked Order 10, which permits any senator to speak at any time, stating, “My petition should be accepted and treated.”
Former Senate Leader Abdullahi Adamu suggested sending the petition to the Ethics Committee for review, saying, “When the issue gets to the committee, the chairman will uphold all the rules.”
However, Senate Leader, Senator Olamilekan Bamidele, emphasized that no senator can author or sign their own petition, noting, “We must be guided by our Rule Book.”
Responding to Bamidele’s comment, Akpabio explained that he allowed the petition to be read because he “didn’t want the people who do not understand our rule in the Senate to think that I am deliberately silencing her because I am involved.”
Despite this, the Senate ultimately sided with the Senate Leader’s argument and rejected the petition, reaffirming the importance of following Senate rules and procedures.
