IBY
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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obong Akpabio has denied the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan saying he has highest regard for women.
This is coming on the heels of a petition on Sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan layed before the Senate on Wednesday against the Senate President even as police fired teargas to disperse a group of protesters protesting in support of senator Akpoti -Uduaghan.
The protesters singing in support of senator Akpoti -Uduaghan carried banners with inscription “Akpabio Must Resign Now” and “Leave Natasha Alone” stormed National Assembly entrance around 9:40am but were prevented by armed policemen firing teargas to disperse the crowd.
Akpabio addressing Senate in plenary described the allegation of sexual harassment making round in the media as spurious.
“On February 2025, there were some spurious allegations making the rounds in the social media and on television of a purported harassment by senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. While I am aware that the matters are in court, however, I would like to state clearly that at no time did I ever attempt any sexual harassment. I have my siblings who were raised very well by my late single mother through very difficult times. She died in the year 2000. I therefore have the highest regards for women.
“I also wish to say that I have four beautiful daughters, at no time will I ever harass any woman. I never do so. In addition, even as a state governor, I was awarded various awards. One of them was “the most gender friendly governor” in Nigeria. I served between 2007 and 2015. In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and members of the social media, to await the court’s decision. Please do not jump to conclusions on this allegation,” he said.
After the petition was laid by Senator Natasha, Akpabio immediately referred it to the committee on Ethics, Privileges and public petition.
How the Senate in plenary faulted the action of the Senate President describing it as highly emotional.
The Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Mongunu said the action of Senator Natasha is a violation of the Senate Standing Rule 40(4) and (7) which states that “a senator can not present a petition in which he or she is a signatory,” while Rule 40 (7) states that “Senate should not receive or tolerate any matter to which actions are pending in any court of law,” he said.
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele also corroborated the whip’s position saying the Senate will be lay a bad precedent by entertaining Natasha’s petition.
Responding, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio noted the comments of both Mongunu and Bamidele.
“There was a reflection by Senator Mongunu who has served for 16 years as a member of the House of Representatives and was also a chairman of the Committee on judiciary and legal matters. It is very pertinent and relevant. For those of you who may have doubts, after this you can request from the clerk the Standing Orders of the Senate and look at Rule 40, subsection 4 and 7.
“Rule 40 (4) says no senator may present a petition signed by himself. Chapter 40 (7), says the Senate should not receive a petition on any matter to which actions are pending in any court of the law,” he said.
Senator Natasha however interjected the Senate President coming under matter of privilege “I believe here, sir, that your denial, your refusal to accept and treat my petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges is an abuse of my privileges, and I say that this matter is not yet before any court of law.
“The matter before the court is on the defamation and cyberbullying statements made by your special assistant on new media, Mr. Patrick Udom, who addressed my decent outfits as transparent, thereby depicting that I walked seducely and naked to the chambers. That is the nature of the petition, of the case in court. This petition, sir, has never been filed. The petition that alleges, or should I say, accuses you of making sexual harassment moves, abusing your office, and making malicious obstructions to my legislative functions has not been tendered anywhere or before any courts in Nigeria. So, sir, I would appreciate it if you kindly accept my petition and forward it to the Ethics and Privileges Committee so it could be treated.”
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