The Senate has rejected claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Instead, the Senate clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from her repeated disregard for the Senate’s rules, particularly her violation of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and her disruptive behavior during Senate proceedings.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, issued a statement on Saturday addressing the misleading narratives circulating in the media.
He clarified that the suspension was based on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s misconduct and defiance of legislative decorum, not the allegations of sexual harassment.
Following a report from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months for misconduct and refusing to follow seating arrangements during plenary sessions.
The Senate also noted that should she offer a written apology, her suspension could be reconsidered before the six-month period concludes.
Bamidele added that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been spreading misinformation, claiming her suspension resulted from her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
However, the Senate firmly stated that the disciplinary action was a result of her repeated violations of Senate rules.
The Senate also made it clear that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment complaint had not followed the correct procedural guidelines for submission to the Senate, further distancing her suspension from the harassment allegations.
Bamidele’s statement read: “Recent media reports claiming that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended due to sexual harassment allegations are false and misleading. If Akpoti-Uduaghan had followed proper procedures, her petition would have been considered on its merits. Instead, she chose to disregard Senate practices.”
The Senate’s statement further explained that the suspension followed a report by the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which concluded that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated parliamentary protocols, such as refusing to sit in her designated seat during the February 25, 2025 plenary, disregarding the presiding officer’s recognition to speak, and engaging in disruptive and disrespectful behavior.
