Video: Senate passes vote of confidence in Akpabio amidst sexual harassment allegations

March 13, 2025

By Adetayo James

The Nigerian Senate has passed a vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, despite allegations of sexual harassment raised by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan .

The vote of confidence was moved by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and seconded by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi.

The Senate urged Nigerians not to distract the Assembly with the issue of sexual harassment, as the matter is already in court.

According to the Senate’s standing rules, they cannot intervene in the matter since it is sub judice.

Senator Bamidele noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan never mentioned the alleged sexual harassment to any senator since her inauguration in August 2023.

He added that the Senate couldn’t hear her petition because the case was already in court.

The vote of confidence comes 48 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan told the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York that she was suspended for raising the issue of sexual harassment against Akpabio.