Citing Order 40 of its rulebook, the Senate stated that it could not interfere in an issue under judicial consideration.
The Senate has approved a vote of confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio, who serves as the Senate’s President. In response to a resolution that was proposed by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West), the vote of confidence in Akpabio was overwhelmingly approved at the plenary session that took place on Thursday.
The decision was made 48-hours after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), who was suspended as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York.
During her speech, she asserted that her suspension stemmed from her accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
IREPORT247NEW reports that the Nigerian Senate has defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that her suspension was not related to allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Instead, the Senate attributed her suspension to gross misconduct and unruly behavior.
Speaking before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Wednesday, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, presented the Senate’s position. Ogbara emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a result of her persistent misconduct and disregard for the Senate’s Standing Orders.
- The Senate accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, which led to her suspension. Specifically, the Senate cited instances of misconduct, including
- Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025
- Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior
- Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate
- Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges
Meanwhile, the Senate has stressed that the case is already before the court and urged Nigerians not to let the charges distract them. Citing Order 40 of its rulebook, the Senate stated that it could not interfere in an issue under judicial consideration.