Two Nigerian Senators have carpeted their colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for ignoring due process in complaining over alleged sexual harassment against her by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi,
Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate speaking on Arise TV’s afternoon programme on Monday, condemned her action for using unofficial channels to level the allegations against the Senate President.
Adaramodu dismissed the s3xual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling them a “storm in a teacup.”
He stated that there is no formal petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for investigation.
The Senate spokesperson emphasized that the Senate would not respond to claims made on television, as its proceedings are strictly conducted within the Red Chamber.
Adaramodu said: “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what is trending on social media. There must be a formal petition or a matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place.”
On the uproar generated by the reallocation of seats, Adaramodu said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit herself to the rules of the Senate as a legislator.
Citing Order 6 of the Senate Standing Orders, which vests the Senate President with the power to assign seats to senators, Adaramodu declared that all lawmakers are expected to speak from their designated seats and that any breach of this rule undermines order in the chamber.
He argued that if a senator follows due process in raising a point of order, no Senate President would deny him or her recognition.
He equally dismissed insinuations that the President of the Senate could intimidate his colleagues by denying them recognition, saying that all senators are equal in the chamber.
The Senate spokesman also aligned with his colleagues who rejected the call by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, asking Senator Godswill Akpabio to submit himself to an open probe to clear his name and that of the Senate as an institution from the allegation made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“There is presently no formal matter before the Senate regarding these allegations. The only issue before the Senate is Senator Natasha’s non-compliance with the standing orders.”
However, Senator Nwebonyi stated that “Senator Akpabio never harrased Senator Natasha, she is lying, I was there on the day of the house warming”
“We were about 20 Senators including Senator Natasha’s husband. There was never a time Senator Akpabio told Natasha anything related to sexual advances. I have challenged her in one platform to explain exactly what happened and she couldn’t because I was with her and the husband all through and we drove back to Uyo in the same vehicle, she is lying.
‘‘When we landed Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, we boarded a bus. She and her husband sat at the back while I sat at the front. When we reached Akpabio’s house, we were conducted round the facilities in the compound. Natasha complained that her shoes pained her hence she could go round with us. She and her husband were led to the parlour to wait for us while the rest of us were conducted round the facilities. Some of us who are Catholics retired to Chapel later for worship while she and her husband could not come.
“What will Senator Akpabio be doing with such a woman, a mother of six children from six different fathers?”
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi
“She had accused Reno Omokri, ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and two others. Now, it is Akpabio she is accusing of sexual harassment. Is she the only woman in this world?
“I am saying that Natasha is a liar. I was there with her and the husband all through the event no such thing ever happened.”
