The Senate leadership has refuted claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of s*xual harassment.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 8, Senate leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that Senator Natasha was suspended specifically for willfully violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and for her inappropriate conduct during Senate proceedings.
It was noted that the Senate imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha on Thursday, March 6.
Bamidele accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of misleading the public by suggesting that her suspension was a result of her allegations against the Senate president. He emphasized that the disciplinary action taken against her was solely in response to her persistent breaches of legislative decorum.
He further pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of s*xual harassment did not adhere to the proper procedural requirements for submitting such petitions to the Senate.
The statement included the following: “It has come to our attention that several media reports are falsely implying that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was linked to allegations of s*xual harassment. This assertion is completely untrue, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the facts. If Akpoti-Uduaghan had followed our established guidelines, her petition would have been addressed based on its merits. However, she did not comply with the institution’s established protocols.”
Bamidele explained that the suspension decision was made by the Committee of the Whole Senate after a report was submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, which found her liable for breaching Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
The report delineated specific violations, including:
- Refusing to sit in her designated seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite repeated requests from the Minority Leader and other senior Senators, which constituted open defiance and disorderly conduct.
- Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, breaching parliamentary rules on February 25, 2025.
- Engaging in disruptive behavior that obstructed the Senate proceedings.
- Making abusive and disrespectful comments toward Senate leadership.
- Defying and not complying with the summons from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, which was set up to investigate misconduct.
Bamidele asserted that these actions represented a direct challenge to the Senate’s authority and violated the governing rules established in the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
He underscored the necessity of the disciplinary measure to maintain order and uphold the integrity of the Senate as a key democratic institution in the country.
“Contrary to the false narratives circulating, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended for alleging s*xual harassment or for submitting a petition. Her petition was rightfully dismissed as it did not meet the established procedural standards required for Senate submissions. The rules of the Senate are applicable to all members, and no petition can be considered if it doesn’t adhere to due process. To imply that her suspension is linked to her petition is a distortion of the facts and an intentional effort to mislead the public,” Bamidele stated.
While appreciating certain media organizations for their commitment to objective reporting, the statement urged the press to refrain from distorting facts to fit a false narrative.
He expressed disappointment at the attempt to politicize a disciplinary action that was solely based on clear violations of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
“This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an effort to politicize a disciplinary action grounded in established violations of Senate procedures. It is reckless, misleading, and does a disservice to the people of Nigeria, who deserve accurate and factual reporting. We implore all foreign correspondents and responsible media outlets to correct these misrepresentations and refrain from spreading falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process,” he added.
