The Senate has refuted claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, insisting that her suspension was due to violations of Senate rules and legislative misconduct.
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, made this clarification in a statement released on Saturday, dismissing widespread narratives suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was punished for filing a petition against Akpabio.
According to Bamidele, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months based on the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which found her guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
The Senate emphasized that her refusal to comply with sitting arrangements and her alleged disorderly conduct during plenary sessions were the primary reasons for her suspension.
“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are falsely suggesting 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,” the statement read.
Bamidele further explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition was rejected because it failed to meet the procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.
The statement outlined several instances of misconduct, including:
- Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite multiple interventions from the Minority Leader and other senior senators.
- Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, violating standard parliamentary protocols.
- Engaging in disruptive behavior and obstructing Senate proceedings.
- Making abusive and disrespectful remarks about the Senate leadership.
- Defying the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which was investigating her alleged misconduct.
The statement maintained that these actions constituted a direct challenge to the authority of the Senate and justified her six-month suspension.
While urging media organizations to report objectively, the Senate condemned efforts to politicize Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
“This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended),” the statement added.
“It is reckless, misleading, and a disservice to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who deserve truthful and factual reporting. We, therefore, urge all foreign correspondents and responsible media houses to correct these misrepresentations and avoid propagating falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.”
