From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Senator Godswill Akpabio, reiterating loyalty in his leadership as President of the red chamber.
This followed a motion moved at plenary session by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele , and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi.
The confidence vote on Akpabio comes after the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday, reported the Senate President to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a United Nations forum.
Natasha told the IPU that she was being victimised and appealed for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable after she recalled her allegation of sexual harassment made against Akpabio.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian senate, in a letter signed by Bamidele, told the IPU that “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault”.
The letter further stated that “the authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, has called on the IPU to carry out a comprehensive probe into the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha against Akpabio.
“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and justice is never pre-determined or one-sided”, she said.
Natasha was suspended last week Thursday for six months over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, and access to the National Assembly premises.
Her suspension had sparked wide outrage among Nigerians, who are demanding the resignation of Akpabio as Senate President.
The Nigerian Senate had on October 17, 2024, passed a Vote Of Confidence on Akpabio.
