The Senate has rejected a sexual harassment petition filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
At the beginning of Wednesday’s plenary, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the petition against Akpabio. She stood up, stated that she had a petition, read it aloud, and submitted it, which Akpabio accepted.
However, a heated session ensued when Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno, citing Order 40(4), argued that Senate rules must be strictly adhered to, warning that any deviation could lead to “chaos and anarchy.”
He insisted that the Senate must “stamp its feet in defense of its rules,” emphasizing that no matter pending before a court of law should be deliberated upon by the Senate, as it would be deemed sub judice.
Munguno further pointed out that Senate rules prohibit any senator from presenting a petition personally signed by themselves, stating, “Senator Natasha had signed her own petition, rendering it procedurally invalid.”
However, Senator Natasha Akpoti pushed back, arguing that her case before the court was not related to sexual harassment but rather to malicious comments about her dressing. Despite being asked to halt, she invoked Order 10, which permits any senator to rise and speak at any time, insisting that her petition should be accepted and treated.
In an attempt to restore order, former Senate Leader Abdullahi Adamu argued that since Senate President Akpabio had already ruled on the matter, the petition should proceed to the Ethics Committee for review. He said, “When the issue gets to the committee, the chairman will uphold all the rules.”
This stance sparked mixed reactions, leading to a flurry of points of order and a brief commotion in the chamber.
Weighing in on the matter, the Senate Leader reaffirmed that no senator can author or sign their own petition, stressing that the Senate must uphold its rules to avoid setting a dangerous precedent. He further noted that “the Senate President’s wife had already taken legal action on the matter, reinforcing the argument that the issue was already before the courts and therefore could not be entertained by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.”
Bamidele said, “Mr. President, I sympathize with you as a man being accused of sexual harassment.
“We are guided by three things: The Constitution, the Rule Book, and… Mr. President, we are not guided by emotions. You were being emotional, that was why you took that petition.
“We must be guided by our Rule Book.”
Responding to Bamidele’s comment, Akpabio explained that he had allowed the petition because he did not want the public—who may not understand Senate procedures—to believe that he was victimizing Natasha.
The Senate President said, “Senate Leader, I took that petition because I didn’t want the people who do not understand our rule in the Senate to think that I am deliberately silencing her because I am involved.”
Amid rising tensions, the Senate Leader called for a closed-door session, but the Senate President ruled that plenary should continue.
Ultimately, the Senate upheld the argument of the Senate Leader, rejecting the petition.
Source: Business day
