Bamidele Opeyemi, the leader of the 10th Senate has debunked claims that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Red Chamber over the allegations of sexual harassment which she made against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement issued on Saturday, March 8, Opeyemi said, the claim that the Kogi Central senator was suspended for her allegations against Akpabio is false.
According to the Senate leader, the Kogi lawmaker’s suspension followed her actions and misconduct in contravention of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline.
He said, “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.”
He also stated that her suspension was an unanimous decision of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Opeyemi said the committee led by Neda Imasuen had found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules and recommended her immediate suspension.
Listing the key reasons for her suspension, Opeyemi said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated violation of the Senate Standing Order.
Below are Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions that led to suspension as listed by Opeyemi:
1. 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.
2. Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.
3. Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings.
4. Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate. 5. Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.
