Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been asked to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a letter dated March 3, 2025, human rights lawyer, Myson Nejo, Esq demanded that Senator Akpabio step aside to allow for a thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition Committee.

The allegations against Senator Akpabio surfaced after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s interview on Arise Television on February 28, 2025.

According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator Akpabio made inappropriate comments and advances towards her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom on December 8, 2023.

Senator Akpabio’s alleged actions have sparked widespread concern, with many calling for his resignation.

However, Nejo, a pro-democracy campaigner, maintained that “pending the commencement and conclusion of investigation, it is required that you step aside as the Senate President and allow the Deputy Senate President to preside affairs in the red chambers. This is the prudent and appropriate thing to do in the interest of our country”.

Nejo who said he wrote on behalf of millions of concerned Nigerians passionate about democratic governance and ethics, stated that their attention was drawn to an Arise Television Interview granted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (“Senator Natasha”) on February 28 2025.

“In the said interview, Senator Natasha made allegation suggesting that you sexually harassed her and crossed the line decency in the discharge of your duties as the Senate President of Nigeria. Senator Natasha stated as follows:

“My issue with Senator Akpabio commenced on December 8, 2023, when my husband and I visited Akwa Ibom to attend Senator Akpabio’s birthday celebration. During our visit, Senator Akpabio was escorting me around his residence, holding my hand while my husband followed behind, and remarked that he would like me to visit his home regularly to share special moments. My husband overheard the comment and subsequently advised me to refrain from traveling alone or being in the company of the Senate President without accompaniment.

“Godswill Akpabio wanted to spend quality time with me ALONE in his Ikot Ekpene home. I’m the chief presiding office of the Senate and you can enjoy a lot of you take care of me”

“As you are aware, these allegations levelled against you are damning. They have, without doubt, brought shame and ridicule to the highest legislative body in Nigeria. The institution of the Nigerian Senate is sacred and allegations of this nature diminishes the sanctity of the Hallowed Chambers.

“This allegation of national importance requires immediate and thorough investigation by the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee (“Ethics Committee”) of the Nigerian Senate. This allegation demands that you appear before the Ethics Committee and make presentations in respect of the allegation in the interest of fair hearing and the sanctity of the Nigerian Senate.”

He added, “You will recall that in 2017 when former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was accused of importing bullet proof car by one of his colleagues, he stepped aside and gave room for transparent investigation, the outcome of which absolved him of any wrongdoing. This is an admirable precedent that must be followed.

“On the strength of the foregoing, we hereby demand that you step aside as Senate President pending the conclusion of investigation, in order to save the institution of the Senate from ridicule of this magnitude.

“We are confident that you will accede to our demand within 7 days of receipt of this letter. In the unlikely event that same is not done, we will be compelled to take all appropriate legal and revolutionary actions against you which include protest, mass action, petition to foreign embassies and public interest lawsuits.”

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), threatening to arrest him if he fails to appear before the House by Friday, March 7, 2025.

This development followed after a motion moved by a member, Enemi George, representing Asari-Toru Constituency 2, during Wednesday’s plenary session.

The electoral chief had earlier fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.

The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly said it would probe the conduct of the electoral chief in office regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.

On Sunday, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, assured the people of the oil-rich state that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).

In a state broadcast on Sunday, Fubara revealed that he has met with his legal team, who expect to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.

He emphasised that his government is committed to upholding constitutional principles and will act in line with the law.

The governor also directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate control of the 23 local government councils across the state, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that nullified the October 5, 2023, local government elections.

Fubara stated that the civil servants would oversee affairs until fresh elections are conducted by the State Electoral Commission.

The Supreme Court, in another judgment on Friday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.

In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.