Senator Natasha submits petition on sexual harassment
I didn’t sexually harass Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan - Akpabio
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday arrived at the Senate Chamber today with her husband as plenary resumed after a one-week recess.
In a brief but affectionate moment, her husband gave her a kiss before she proceeded into the chamber to take her seat.
The Kogi State senator took her place in her newly assigned seat, which has been at the center of an ongoing controversy.
The dispute over the seat has sparked tensions within the Senate as she accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment.
The Senate President has rejected the allegation and denied any wrongdoing. However, the allegation and controversy has raised fresh concerns about decorum and conduct within the legislative body.
Akpabio apologises to Sen. Natasha over ‘Night Club’ comment
As plenary resumed, all eyes were on Senator Natasha as she settled into her seat, signalling her readiness to continue legislative duties in spite of the ongoing controversy.
Meanwhile, protesters in support of the Kogi lawmaker stormed the National Assembly on Wednesday as the Ethics Committee is set to commence probe.
The Committee chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun is to investigate Natasha’s alleged refusal to comply with the rules of the Senate.
As the protesters gathered, cans of tear gas were fired but the protesters appeared undeterred as they regrouped barricaded by security agencies.
The protesters accused the Senate President of silencing and maligning women, as they called on President Bola Tinubu to wade in.
They said sexual allegation is a human rights issue.
I didn’t sexually harass Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – Akpabio
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has denied any attempt to sexually harass Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi), as being alleged by the latter.
Akpabio made the rebuttal at the resumption of plenary on Wednesday, after a week recess.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan had on a popular television programme, accused Akpabio of making sexual advances at her, a reason to which she attributed her issues recently at the chamber with the senate president.
NAN also reports that trouble started between the duo when, on Feb. 20, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her seat was re-allocated in the upper chamber without her knowledge.
The matter was, thereafter, referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for disciplinary review, with two weeks given to the committee to submit its report.
He said: “On the 28th day of February, there were some serious allegations making the rounds in the social media and the TV of a purported harassment of Sen. 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 this sexual harassment of the said Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan or any other woman.
“I and my siblings were raised very well by my late single mother who died in 2000 through very difficult times. I, therefore, have the highest regards for women.
“At no time did I ever harass any woman, and I will never do so,” he said.
Akpabio said that even as a state governor, he was awarded various awards, adding: “If you wish to know, the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria. I served between 2007 and 2015. to the glory of God.
“In conclusion, I urge all Nigerians, particularly the media and the social media, to await the court’s decision and please do not jump into conclusion on matters of mere allegations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police officers deployed in the National Assembly had, earlier in the day, dispersed some protesters, believed to be Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, from accessing the complex.
