The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) has faulted the narrative that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), was suspended for accusing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of alleged sexual harassment.
Bamidele added that what actually transpired in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly was that Natasha’s suspension was sequel to her flagrant disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) and her unparliamentary behaviour during its plenaries and proceedings.
Bamidele gave the clarifications in a three-page statement made available on Saturday amid what he described as the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations.
Acting on the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the Senate had suspended Natasha or six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with its sitting arrangement during the plenary.
The Senate also upheld her suspension with a proviso that if Natasha “submits a written apology, the leadership of the chamber may consider lifting the suspension before the six-month period expires.”
The Senate Leader further disclosed that rather than submit to the authority of the Senate, Natasha had been misinforming the unsuspecting public that she was suspended because she accused the Senate President of alleged sexual harassment.
Bamidele added that the disciplinary action against Natasha was unequivocally a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum.
He also clarified that Natasha’s petition on alleged sexual harassment failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.
The statement reads in part: “It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.
“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.”
Bamidele insisted revealed that Natasha’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 noted that the report found Natasha guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and recommended her immediate suspension.
Bamidele said, “As established in the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the disciplinary action was a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violations of legislative decorum stated as follows:
“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.
“Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.
“Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings. Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.”
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