Senator Godswill Akpabio has been asked to step down from his position as the Senate President of the 11th Nigerian Senate over the sexual harassement allegation made by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The call was made to Akpabio by the leadership of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) on Monday, March 3, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had in the past week accused the Senate President of intimidation and undermining her efforts to represent her constituents in the Senate.
According to the Kogi Central Senator, her problem began after she resisted a sexual harassment towards her by the Senate President.
However, in a statement issued on by Sanin Yaya, the spokesperson of CNNP, Akpabio has been asked to resign as Senate President.
Yaya said it is important for public officeholders and leaders to uphold the highest ethical standards.
He added that the allegation against Akpaio if not well handled could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s legislative body.
Yaya also stated that failure to prioritise the issue could erode the public trust in the Senate’s ability to self-regulate.
He warned against politicizing the matter for any reason.
He said, “Stepping aside is not an admission of guilt but a critical measure to ensure the integrity of the investigative process. We demand that the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee collaborate with credible external bodies, including civil society organizations and legal experts, to conduct a transparent inquiry. Any delay or politicization of this process will deepen distrust in the Senate’s ability to self-regulate.
“Leadership demands accountability. These allegations, if mishandled, will undermine Nigeria’s progress toward gender equality and ethical governance.
“We commend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s bravery in speaking out and insist that Senator Akpabio’s temporary recusal is essential to safeguard the credibility of this investigation. Justice must prevail, unimpeded by power or privilege,” Yaya said.
