Abuja: The 10th Senate of Nigeria recently passed a vote of confidence in its President, Godswill Akpabio, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding a sexual harassment allegation raised against him. This development comes after Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and formally presented a petition to that effect.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the petition accused the Senate President of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstructing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative duties. In response, the Senate referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, led by Neda Imasuen. The committee recommended a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing violations of Senate Standing Rules and bringing public disrepute to the Senate.
The suspension, while approved by the Senate, has been met with opposition from some senators who claimed they were not given the opportunity to review the final draft of the suspension report. They alleged that their signatures were taken from an attendance register rather than being freely given in support of the suspension. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has also sought legal intervention from the Federal High Court, described her suspension as unjust and a violation of natural justice principles.
Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the United Nations headquarters in New York, seeking international intervention. The IPU’s President, Tulia Ackson, acknowledged the concerns raised but indicated that the Nigerian Senate would have an opportunity to present its side. Meanwhile, Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, refuted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, stating that her suspension was due to misconduct rather than the harassment allegation.
The Senate, led by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a vote of confidence in Akpabio, emphasizing his leadership since the 10th Senate’s inauguration. Akpabio denied the harassment allegations and criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for distorting facts at the IPU meeting. He maintained that the issue before the Senate was unrelated to the harassment claims.
Despite the vote of confidence, the controversy continues to stir public debate. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for an investigation into the allegations against Akpabio, while human rights activists and legal professionals criticized the Senate’s handling of the situation, urging for impartiality and transparency.
With the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) filing a court motion to challenge Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, political analysts suggest that all parties should seek a resolution to prevent further embarrassment to Nigeria on the international stage.