The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has dismissed claims that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was linked to her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, Senator Bamidele described reports associating Natasha’s suspension with sexual harassment allegations as “false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts.”
He insisted that the six-month suspension was solely due to gross misconduct and violations of legislative decorum.
The Senate Leader, in the statement, outlined several violations that led to her suspension, including defying seating arrangements during plenary on 25 February, speaking without recognition, engaging in disruptive behaviour, making abusive remarks against Senate leadership, and refusing to comply with an ethics committee summons.
Regarding the controversy surrounding a petition Senator Natasha submitted, Bamidele clarified that it was not dismissed based on its content but because it failed to meet procedural requirements.
However, he condemned what he described as a coordinated misinformation campaign by some media outlets, urging journalists to correct what he called false narratives.
The statement fully reads, “The Authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly rebuts the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organizations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline—nothing more, nothing less.
“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.
“Facts of the Suspension: Senator Uduaghan’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. 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:
“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 recognized 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.
“These actions represented a direct challenge to the Authority of the Senate and a violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) that govern the business of the Senate and the conduct of its members. The disciplinary measure was, therefore, necessary and justified to restore order and uphold the integrity of the Senate as the country’s foremost democratic institution.
“On the Petition and Allegations: Contrary to the false claims being circulated, Senator Uduaghan was NOT suspended for making any sexual harassment or for submitting a petition.
“Her petition was rightfully discountenanced because it failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate. The rules of the Senate apply to all members without exception, and no petition regardless of its subject can be considered if it does not follow due process.
“To suggest that her suspension was linked to her petition is not only a distortion of facts but an intentional and malicious attempt to mislead the public.
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“Condemnation of Misleading Media Reports: The Senate strongly condemns the irresponsible and unethical reporting by some media organizations that have deliberately twisted the facts to suit a false narrative.
“This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended). It is reckless, misleading, and a disservice to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who deserve truthful and factual reporting.
“We, therefore, urge all foreign correspondents and responsible media houses to correct these misrepresentations and avoid propagating falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.
“The Senate remains committed to upholding discipline, order, and parliamentary ethics. No senator-regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation-is above the rules of the Senate. Senator Uduaghan’s suspension was the direct consequence of her actions and nothing else.
“We urge the public and the media to disregard any false reports suggesting otherwise and to always seek the truth before spreading politically motivated narratives.”
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