Senate spokesman dismisses Natasha Akopti’s sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has dismissed the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling them a “storm in a teacup.”

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu 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.

He 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.”

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