The Senate has passed a strong vote of confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio, demonstrating overwhelming support for his leadership as President of the Senate.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) moved a motion expressing confidence in Akpabio’s leadership as Senate President, which was seconded by Senator Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West).
The decision comes 48 hours after the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central; Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, claiming she was suspended for raising allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
In response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims at the IPU, the Senate maintained that her suspension was not connected to the sexual abuse allegations against Akpabio, but rather for misconduct and violations of Senate rules.
Senator Bamidele acknowledged the heightened public interest in the matter, especially given the seriousness of the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In his statement, “I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment. The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution.”
Defending the Senate’s power to regulate its proceedings, Senator Bamidele emphasized the necessity of suspension as a tool to maintain order and preserve the dignity of the legislative body.
He highlighted the fact that the decision to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was within the constitutional rights of the Senate and was necessary to prevent chaos and uphold the integrity of the chamber. Bamidele refuted any claims that the Senate had overstepped its bounds or acted unconstitutionally in its handling of the matter.
