Akpabio, right, smd Natasha
Senate Dismisses Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment Petition Against Akpabio
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan may be considering her next steps after the Senate dismissed her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment on Wednesday night.
The petition, which detailed past interactions between the two, was ruled invalid by the Senate.
Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions, said the petition breached Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders.
He highlighted that Senator Natasha had signed the petition herself instead of having it endorsed by another person, rendering it procedurally flawed.
Additionally, Imasuen noted that the issues raised in the petition were already before a court, preventing the Senate from intervening.
In an interview with Arise News on March 5, 2025, Imasuen emphasized that interactions within the Senate are often informal and cautioned against misinterpreting friendly exchanges as harassment.
Addressing concerns that some senators feel overlooked during sessions, he stated that this is a common experience and not indicative of discrimination. He defended Akpabio, asserting that the Senate President does not treat female senators unfairly.
“We have four female senators in this assembly, and I am close to three of them. It is a matter of privilege, and I don’t believe it is directed at any individual because of their gender,” Imasuen said.
He shared his own experiences of being ignored during sessions, adding, “There are times I raise my hand, and the Senate President does not recognize me but recognizes someone behind me. However, he cannot entertain every senator with an opinion during a sitting. It is his prerogative, and I don’t believe it is based on the senator’s gender.”
Meanwhile, an aide to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refuted claims that the issue of sexual harassment was already in court. The aide clarified, “We have no case in court regarding sexual harassment. There is a defamation case and another case filed against us by the Senate President’s wife, but nothing related to sexual harassment.”
The aide added that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was weighing her options following the dismissal of her petition.
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