By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
The motion, raised under Orders 40 and 51, sought to clarify recent controversies surrounding the upper chamber while emphasizing the need for adherence to legislative rules and a renewed focus on governance.
The development comes in the wake of the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) over alleged gross misconduct. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, described her suspension as an injustice and petitioned the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
In response, the Senate clarified on Wednesday that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment allegations but was instead due to violations of Senate rules.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Bamidele stated that at no time between August 2023 and the present had the Senate been formally informed of any sexual harassment claims against Akpabio. He reiterated that the disciplinary action taken was solely based on misconduct.
“The matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment. The Senate President did not preside over any such case. What was addressed was a disregard for Senate rules, and due process was followed,” Bamidele stated.
He further defended the Senate’s authority to regulate its proceedings, emphasizing that disciplinary measures, including suspensions, are necessary to maintain order and legislative integrity.
Regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint to the IPU, Bamidele noted that she spoke in a personal capacity and not as an official delegate representing Nigeria.
Following deliberations, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio’s leadership. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over Thursday’s plenary, urged senators to focus on their legislative duties, including budget oversight and electoral reforms.
“The matter is now before the courts, and we should allow the legal system to take its course,” Jibrin concluded.
