13th March, 2025
By Kingsley Okoye
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday accused his colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of embarrassing the Senate with the way she reported her suspension by the Senate to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York.
Natasha had in her report at the IPU on Tuesday claimed she was suspended for six months because of the sexual harassments allegation she made against Akpabio.
But reacting to the report, Akpabio who spoke after a vote of confidence was passed on him by Senators during senate plenary on Thursday accused Natasha of distorting the facts about her suspension in her report at the IPU meeting.
According to him, the Kogi Central Senator tried embarrass the Senate by presenting a misleading narrative to the international community.
However, the Senate President commended a member of House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara, for presenting the position of the Senate on the suspension before IPU.
Akpabio said, “I am aware that she distorted the facts and globalised the matter, embarrassing the Senate by giving a different narrative. I appreciate Hon Kafilat for clarifying to the international media that what was presented was completely different from the reality.”
“She brought the matter before the Senate through a petition, but did not allow us to examine it. Instead, she took it to court and later to the international community. Actions like these could discourage politicians from appointing women into key positions.”
“I thank you for this vote of confidence. Let us stay focused and avoid unnecessary distractions,” he said.
Earlier, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) citing Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Order, hinged the vote of confidence on Akpabio’s performance since the inauguration of 10th Senate, in spite of the sexual harassment narrative.
He said that the issue before the senate, as of the time it was referred to the Ethics and Privileges Committee, had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
“Some of the critics who have said this senate allowed Akpabio to be a judge of his own course and to preside over his own matter need to be told.
“With all due respect, the matter before us and on which Sen. Godwswill Akpabio presided over as the President of the Senate had to do with a motion that was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition.
“While we appreciate the concern of the public on this matter, I just want to emphasise that it is important that we also seek the understanding of the judgments.
“It is important to the general public that we were elected to serve the people, and we are guided, whatever we do in this chamber, we are guided by rules.
“It is not a rule of men, it is a rule of law; it is not about some men trying to gang up against a woman or anybody, it is about ensuring that our rules are respected; that is the only way we can guarantee peace, law and order.
“Again, some of the critics have also said we have no right to even suspend a member of this senate.
“I will leave that within the context of jurisprudence, as the court will always speak to that.
“But it is very clear on our rules as to how far we can go and we are not of the opinion that we are in breach of either the constitution or any of our rules,” he said.
Bamidele urged Nigerians not to be distracted with the issue of allegation of sexual harassment, adding that the matter was already in the court.
According to him, while the senate appreciates the concerns of the public on the matter, it is, however, guided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and its rules in the discharge of its duties.
He said that the senate would not be distracted by the issue, but would continue to concentrate on its mandate, as there were pressing matters to be attended to for the good of the country.
“We are going to continue to work together as a government to ensure that the people of Nigeria have equal participation in our democratic activities.
“We are working as a group, as a government, to ensure that we bring economic wealth,” he said.
The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi (PDP-Osun).
