- Senate leader Bamidele Opeyeme has explained that Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan was not suspended because of her allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- Opeyemi explained that Senator Natasha’s suspension was based on her continuous violation of the Senate standing rules
- The Senate leader lamented that some media reports are deliberately rewriting the narrative to suggest that Natasha was suspended because of her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio
FCT, Abuja – Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, the leader of the Senate, has clarified that Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Kogi Central senatorial district lawmaker, was not suspended over her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate leader in a statement on Saturday, March 8, explained that the embattled senator was rather suspended only for her misconduct and disregard for the Senate standing orders. Opeyemi maintained that the report that she was suspended because of her allegation against Akpabio was a total falsehood.
Photo Credit: @NatashaAkpoti, @SPNigeria
Source: Twitter
Why did the Senate suspend Natasha?
He explained that the Senate leadership was concerned about false narratives and deliberate misinformation being circulated by some media organisations about the six-month suspension that the Senate served the Kogi lawmaker.
The statement reads in part:
“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.”
The statement further alleged that some media reports are falsely suggesting that the Kogi senator was suspended because of her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate president.
Photo Credit: @NatashaAkpoti, @SPNigeria
Source: Twitter
Natasha: Senate leader condemned misleading reports
According to the Senate leader, such report was misleading, untrue and a deliberate move to distort the fact. He said if Senator Natasha had strictly abided with the Senate rules, her petition would be treated based on merit in line with the Senate rules. He lamented that the Kogi senator never adhered to the rules of the institution she was serving.
Recall that Senator Natasha had clashed with the Senate president Akpabio in February when she declined to move to the new seat assigned to her. She later granted a television interview where she alleged that Akpabio has been making sexual advances towards her.
The Senate suspended her on Thursday, March 6, withdrew her security details and other conditions. Bamidele then noted that the suspension of Natasha was based on the decision of the committee of the whole, following the submission by its chairman.
See the full statement here:
Harassment: Akpabio threatens ex-NDDC boss
Legit.ng earlier reported that Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has vowed to take legal action against Joy Nunieh, the former NDDC MD, who first accused him of sexual harassment five years ago.
The Senate president claimed, while addressing the recent sexual harassment allegation by Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan from Kogi state.
Akpabio explained that Natasha’s allegation has caused the 10th Senate some trauma and that the allegation only came up when the senator’s seat and committee were changed.
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Source: Legit.ng
