Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno immediately objected, arguing that the Senate could not entertain the petition since the issue was already before a court.
The senate was thrown into a tense session on Wednesday as Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi central) officially tendered a petition on the floor, alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing Order 40 of the senate rules, raised the petition during plenary, referencing comments she had previously made on Arise TV. She asserted that the matter needed to be formally documented and addressed by the upper legislative chamber.
Akpabio, in a surprising move, initially allowed her to proceed with the submission. However, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno immediately objected, arguing that the senate could not entertain the petition since the issue was already before a court. Quoting Order 40, Rule 7, Monguno maintained that legislative deliberations on a matter under judicial consideration were out of order.
A heated debate ensues
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, rejected Monguno’s argument, clarifying that the ongoing court case was a N100 billion defamation lawsuit she filed against Patrick Mfon, a special assistant to the senate president on social media and not against Akpabio himself. She insisted that her sexual harassment claims were not the subject of any legal action, contradicting the basis for rejecting her petition.
“This matter is not in court. The matter in court is a defamation against the senate president’s special assistant on social media, Patrick Mfon, who accused me of dressing indecently to the senate,” the Kogi lawmaker said.
The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti central) also weighed in against the petition, asserting that the rules could not be bypassed.
“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,” he said.
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The senate leader then moved that the senate goes into a closed session.
As tensions rose, Akpabio moved to defuse the situation by steering the senate back to other matters on the day’s agenda. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan staged a brief walkout in protest before returning minutes later.
Akpabio breaks silence, denies allegations
Earlier in the session, Akpabio dismissed the accusations, categorically denying any inappropriate conduct.
He said, “Since the 20th of February, I have been inundated with phone calls from various Nigerians.
“I would like to state that at no time did I sexually harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother who died in year 2000 through very difficult times and I therefore have the highest regards for women.
“Even after her demise, I still cry till today. I also wish to state that I have four beautiful daughters.
“So at no time have I or will I ever harass any woman, and I have never done so. In addition, even as a state governor, I was awarded various awards. One of them was the one you wish to know, the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria.”
He, however, urged Nigerians to refrain from making assumptions and allow the legal process to take its course.
“I served between 2007 and 2015. To God be the glory. In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and then, of course, the members of the social media, to await the court’s decision and please do not jump to conclusions on matters of mere allegations.
“I want to thank you for listening to me. I thank my colleagues because some of the phone calls were calls of support, solidarity, and prayer that the Almighty God will step in to vindicate the just.”
Earlier Natasha was seen coming into the national assembly in company of her husband. Also, before the commencement of plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan was seen taking her new seat, which she had previously rejected citing concerns about being directly in the view of the chamber’s cameras.
However, when the senate leadership made its traditional entrance, where all senators are expected to stand in acknowledgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained seated throughout the proceedings, a subtle but clear sign of defiance amid the ongoing controversy.
