…Warns Against Uninformed Commentaries On Senate Affairs
…Natasha Akpoti’s suspension not linked to sexual harassment allegation – Senate Leader
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has claimed that the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, made “useless allegations” against him because her seat in the Red Chamber was changed.
Akpabio also said the lawmaker, who has now been suspended by the Senate for six months, traumatized him and others.
Following the sanctions imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio has come under heavy criticism.
However, the Senate President continues to maintain his innocence, insisting that none of her allegations are true.
Speaking at an event to commemorate International Women’s Day on Saturday, Akpabio claimed he was merely her latest victim, stating that previous allegations made by Natasha had turned out to be false.
He said, “It was only yesterday that I realized that what we are talking about only happened when there was a change of seat. That is when hell was let loose, and all sorts of allegations came up—only after the change of seat and change of committee, which my Senators know happens from time to time.
“This is said to have happened on December 8, a day before my birthday, which was celebrated in the stadium in 2023. So from December 8, 2023, I never heard, my wife never heard, no Nigerian ever heard, even her husband never heard any issue of sexual harassment—until her committee was changed, and then her seat was changed.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman to the other people she has accused in the past? None has been proven so far. Do you even wonder about the trauma this caused to the 10th Senate and the image of the Senate with all these useless allegations? I have refrained from making a statement.
“Look at these beautiful women. They have come across me so many times. Have I ever harassed any one of you? Or is the person thinking that you are not beautiful?”
Akpabio Warns Against Uninformed Commentaries On Senate Affairs
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned critics against making uninformed comments on the affairs of the Upper Legislative Chamber, urging the public to understand parliamentary rules before engaging in debates.
The Senate President issued the warning when he received a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
His remarks followed the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules, a decision that Akpabio emphasised was unanimously supported by lawmakers.
Expressing concern over the growing trend of uninformed commentaries on television and social media, Akpabio said, “People who have no understanding of Senate procedures are the ones running commentaries on matters they know nothing about. You should seek the facts before making public statements. We advise members of the public to stop misquoting the rules of the Senate.”
He also criticised those outside the legislature for attempting to interpret Senate procedures, likening it to a herbalist trying to quote the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings attempting to interpret the Qur’an.
Senator Natasha had in the wake of a seat dispute with Akpabio accused the lawmaker of sexual harassment. X@NatashaAkpoti
Responding to concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, leader of the delegation, Akpabio highlighted the historic significance of his role as Senate President, noting that the Niger Delta had last held the position 46 years ago.
“The Senate President does not represent himself alone; he represents a region that is crucial to the economic survival of this country. So, we will not toy with this position, regardless of any opposition maneuvering,” he said.
He dismissed attempts to undermine his leadership, attributing some criticisms to political mischief from people who, he claimed, lacked knowledge of Senate procedures.
The delegation, led by Lokpobiri, also expressed concern over the political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if left unchecked, it could escalate and destabilise the entire Niger Delta region.
They also sought Senate intervention on key regional projects, including the Coastal Road project; Maritime University in Oron, which is yet to commence operations as well as extending the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
The Senate President assured the delegation that Senators from the Niger Delta would intervene in the Rivers State crisis to ensure stability. He also reaffirmed that the Coastal Road project had been addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and pledged to push for progress on other critical regional projects.
He assured them that their concerns were well noted. “We will continue to work towards solutions that bring peace and development to the Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.
The meeting reaffirmed the Niger Delta region’s strong support for Akpabio’s leadership, as well as the Senate’s role in addressing national and regional concerns through legislative engagement.
Senate leader says Natasha Akpoti’s suspension not linked to sexual harassment allegation
Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, has refuted claims that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi central, had alleged that Akpabio made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his home in December 2023. Akpabio has since denied the allegation.
On Thursday, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with its seating arrangement during plenary on February 20.
The senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions recommended that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension could be lifted before the six-month period expires if she submits a written apology, subject to the chamber’s leadership’s consideration.
’She Disobeyed Senate Rules’
In a statement on Saturday, Bamidele clarified Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension was due to her “flagrant disobedience” of senate rules and “unparliamentary behaviour,” not her harassment allegation.
“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,” the statement reads.
“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving.
“Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”
He said the report found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the senate standing orders 2023 (as amended) and recommended her immediate suspension.
Bamidele said the disciplinary action was a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “repeated violations of legislative decorum”.
He insisted that her petition against Akpabio was dismissed because it did not follow the Senate’s procedural requirements.
“Contrary to the false claims being circulated, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended for making any sexual harassment or for submitting a petition,” Bamidele said.
“Her petition was rightfully discountenanced because it failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.
“The rules of the Senate apply to all members without exception, and no petition—regardless of its subject—can be considered if it does not follow due process.
“To suggest that her suspension was linked to her petition is not only a distortion of facts but an intentional and malicious attempt to mislead the public.”
