The Nigerian Senate has formally solidified its backing for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership on Thursday. This decisive action follows a motion raised by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, citing Orders 40 and 51 to address the growing controversy surrounding the legislative body.
Bamidele emphasized the necessity of clarity, adherence to parliamentary protocols, and a renewed commitment to governance, as the chamber grapples with mounting scrutiny and internal discord.
A key flashpoint in this unfolding drama has been the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central. The Senate imposed this disciplinary action following allegations of sexual harassment leveled against Akpabio. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has vehemently condemned her suspension, labeling it an act of injustice. In pursuit of redress, she formally petitioned the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Tuesday, seeking intervention.
Reacting swiftly to her appeal, the Senate, in an official response on Wednesday, refuted claims that her suspension was linked to the sexual harassment allegations. Instead, it asserted that the action was taken strictly due to gross misconduct and violation of Senate rules.
During deliberations on the Senate floor, Senator Bamidele acknowledged that the matter had attracted intense public attention, largely due to the weight of the allegations. However, he unequivocally stated that at no time between August 2023 and the present had the Senate been formally notified of any sexual harassment claims against Akpabio.
Bamidele further clarified the Senate’s stance, asserting:
“It is imperative to state unequivocally that the issue referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had no connection to allegations of sexual harassment. The Senate President never presided over any proceedings related to such claims. Instead, the matter at hand strictly pertained to a brazen disregard for Senate regulations, and due process was meticulously followed in accordance with the Constitution.”
As the controversy continues to reverberate across the political landscape, the Senate remains firm in its support for Akpabio, positioning the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as a matter of disciplinary enforcement rather than an attempt to suppress allegations. However, with international scrutiny now in play, the unfolding developments could further test the institution’s resolve in upholding both integrity and accountability within Nigeria’s legislative framework.
- 08045674546
- info@mediaplusng.com
- Lagos, Nigeria
