BREAKING NEWS:Natasha Submits Petition Alleging Sexual Harassment, Abuse of Office by Akpabio

By Tgnews

In a stunning escalation of an already volatile feud, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, formally submitted a petition during Tuesday’s plenary session, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

The move, announced on the Senate floor under Order 40 of the Senate Standing Rules, marks a dramatic turning point in a controversy that has gripped Nigeria’s political landscape, drawing widespread attention and outrage.

The petition, laid before the Senate at approximately 12:41 PM WAT, details allegations that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward Senator Natasha during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, 2023—a day before their shared birthdays.

According to Natasha, the Senate President held her hand, led her through his home, and made suggestive remarks, including a proposal to “create quality time” for them to be together. She claims her rejection of these advances triggered a pattern of retaliation, including the suppression of her legislative motions and a contentious seat reassignment in the Senate chamber.

The petition, laid before the Senate at approximately 12:41 PM WAT, details allegations that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward Senator Natasha during a visit to his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, 2023

“Mine is the case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” Natasha said in a prior interview with Arise TV on February 28, 2025, a statement she reiterated in her petition.

She alleges that Akpabio told her she could “enjoy a whole lot” if she “took care of him,” a comment she interpreted as a demand for personal favors in exchange for Senate support.

The petition further accuses Akpabio of abusing his authority by intimidating her, maligning her character, and attempting to silence her voice as an elected representative.

The submission follows weeks of escalating tensions, sparked by a February 20 plenary clash when Akpabio ordered Natasha’s removal from the chamber after she protested a seat reassignment. “I am not afraid of you,” she reportedly shouted, defying his authority. That incident, coupled with her subsequent public allegations, has fueled a national debate over power dynamics, gender, and accountability in Nigeria’s Senate. Supporters rallied outside the National Assembly today, chanting “Let Natasha speak!” while demanding Akpabio’s resignation.

The Senate’s response has been cautious. Spokesperson Adeyemi Adaramodu, speaking on March 3, had previously stated that no investigation would proceed without a formal petition. With Natasha’s submission, the matter now falls to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, which has two weeks to report its findings. However, skepticism lingers about the committee’s impartiality given Akpabio’s influence as Senate President.

Akpabio has yet to respond directly to the petition, though his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed earlier allegations as “tissues of lies,” citing a longstanding familial relationship between the Akpabio and Uduaghan families. Meanwhile, Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, has filed a N250 billion defamation lawsuit against Natasha, accusing her of fabricating claims for political gain. Natasha’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, countered that she possesses “concrete evidence” and warned Unoma to stay out of the dispute “to safeguard her sanity.”

Public reaction has been swift and polarized. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called the allegations “grave” and urged a transparent probe, warning that sexual harassment in the Senate undermines Nigeria’s progress. Women’s rights advocates, including Dr. Joe Odumakin of Women Arise, echoed this sentiment, demanding accountability.