The senate leader, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for reasons other than making a sexual harassment allegation against the senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was last week suspended for six months for alleged breach of the senate standing rules.
Explaining the rationale behind the disciplinary action, Opeyemi said the Kogi senator never obeyed the established rules of the senate and as such it was mandatory on the upper chamber to make her face the consequences.
“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Senator Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.
“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Senator 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,” Opeyemi said in a statement.
He also stated that the lawmaker’s suspension was a decision of the committee of the whole senate following the submission of a report by the chairman, senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions, Mr Neda Imaseun.
“The report found her guilty of violating sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules and recommended her immediate suspension.
“The disciplinary action was a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum, including: One, for refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the minority leader and other ranking senators—an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.
“Two, for speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.
“Three, for engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings.
“For making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.
“Five, defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct,” he added.
