The Nigerian Senate has outrightly turned down suggestions that the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was motivated by sexual harassment claims. No, the Senate responded, insisting that the action was solely about her “gross misconduct” and continuous violation of parliamentary status.
In plain language, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele brushed aside what he referred to as “deliberate misinformation and false reports” being circulated by some media outlets.
“Let it be clearly stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended for her continued acts of misconduct, flagrant violation of the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended), and gross indiscipline nothing more, nothing less,” Bamidele declared.
The Senate in unequivocal terms stated that she was suspended due to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges reports, which had among various offences:
- Refusal to occupy her allocated seat in plenary.
- Speaking to the house without being invited to order by the presiding officer.
- Conduct that had been described as unruly and disorderly.
- Issuance of insulting words against Senate leadership.
- Disobedience of summons by the Ethics and Privileges Committee.
The Senate charged that her behavior was a “direct challenge to the Authority of the Senate” and called for discipline in the name of order. Citing reports that indicated that her suspension had something to do with a petition that she had presented, the Senate clarified that the petition had been excluded on a procedural basis and was not the reason for her suspension.
“Contrary to the spurious reports circulating, Senator Uduaghan was NOT suspended for sexual harassment allegation or for the filing of a petition,” Bamidele asserted.
The Senate further decried what it described as “irresponsible and unethical reporting” by media outfits said to sensationalize facts. It blamed the media outlets for embarking on a “coordinated campaign of misinformation” as a way to politicize the action in question.
“This campaign of disinformation is seeking to blindfold the public, but facts are self-explanatory her suspension is purely on the basis of blatant violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended),” the statement read.
The Senate welcomed foreign journalists, and ethical media to visit and put things in their proper perspective and refrain from disseminating falsehoods that undermine the legitimacy of the legislative process. It reaffirmed its strong commitment to ensuring discipline, order, and parliamentary ethics, reaffirming no senator, regardless of his or her position, sex, or political party, is above the Senate rules.
