A sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been resubmitted for consideration after an initial dismissal by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. The petition, presented by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, was formally laid before the Senate during Thursday’s plenary.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, explained that the resubmitted petition was filed by her constituents, led by Zubairu Yakubu. Following her presentation, Akpabio sought clarification on whether there were any legal barriers to accepting the petition. Upon receiving confirmation that none existed, he instructed the document to be formally submitted and referred it to the Ethics Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, with a mandate to report back within four weeks.
This development follows the controversial rejection of a similar petition a day earlier, which has sparked concern among Nigerians. During Wednesday’s plenary, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, citing Senate Standing Order 40, and argued that the matter was sub judice due to an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President. He further contended that the petition should not be considered since it was personally signed by Akpoti-Uduaghan. The Ethics Committee subsequently dismissed the petition, declaring it “dead on arrival.”
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With the latest submission now under review, the Senate awaits the findings of the Ethics Committee, as political observers and stakeholders closely monitor the unfolding situation.
