The Senate has debunked claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended due to her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was based on her violation of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), as well as her alleged “unparliamentary behaviour” during plenary sessions.
Bamidele described media reports suggesting otherwise as “deliberate misinformation and false narratives.” He emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a disciplinary measure recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, following her repeated misconduct during plenary proceedings.
According to Bamidele, Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of several violations, including refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, despite multiple appeals from the minority leader and other senators, speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, in violation of parliamentary rules., engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings, making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership and ignoring summons from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges during investigations into her misconduct.
Addressing the sexual harassment allegation, Bamidele explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition against Akpabio was dismissed because it did not follow the established procedural requirements for submitting petitions.
“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment. This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts,” Bamidele said.
He reiterated that the Senate would have considered the petition on its merits if it had been submitted in line with parliamentary guidelines.
The Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, but she could be reinstated earlier if she submits a written apology to the Senate leadership.
“Rather than submitting to the authority of the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan has been misinforming the public, claiming her suspension was tied to the sexual harassment allegation,” Bamidele said.
The Senate leader reaffirmed the upper chamber’s commitment to upholding legislative decorum and called on the public to disregard false claims surrounding the senator’s suspension.
