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.”