This marks the third time the senate has passed a confidence vote in Akpabio during the 10th senate and the second time in connection with the ongoing dispute involving Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Senate has reaffirmed its support for its President, Godswill Akpabio, by passing a vote of confidence in his leadership.
The senate’s decision comes just 48 hours after Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi central) addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, alleging that her suspension was a direct consequence of raising sexual harassment accusations against Akpabio.
This marks the third time the senate has passed a confidence vote in Akpabio during the 10th senate and the second time in connection with the ongoing dispute involving Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The motion for the vote of confidence was moved by the leader of the senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti central) during Thursday’s plenary session. Addressing the chamber, Bamidele reflected on the tensions surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension and sought to clarify the senate’s position.
Bamidele urged Nigerians not to be swayed by these claims, emphasising that the matter is already before the court. Citing Order 40 of its standing rules, he maintained that it could not interfere in an issue currently under judicial consideration.
READ ALSO: SEDC and senate oversight: A milestone or missed opportunity?
He dismissed allegations that the senate had ignored claims of sexual harassment made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, stating that no such matter was ever officially brought before the chamber.
According to Bamidele, the only issue referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions was a petition by Sen. Yemi Adaramodu concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged violation of senate rules.
“In other words, none of us was ever told about any sexual harassment situation. I want that to be clear.”
He also refuted claims that Akpabio had improperly presided over proceedings related to his own case, emphasising that the matter before the senate was strictly procedural and unrelated to any allegations of misconduct.
“Secondly, I also want to make it clear that the issue before us, as of the time we referred this matter to the ethics and privileges committee, had nothing to do with sexual harassment and some of the critics who have said this Senate allowed Akpabio to be in judge of his own course and to preside over his own matter need to be told, with all due respect, that the matter before us and on which Senator Godswill Akpabio presided over as the President of the Senate had to do with a motion that was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition.
“While we appreciate the concern of the public on this matter, I just want to emphasise that it is important that we also seek the understanding of the judgements.”
Addressing criticisms regarding the senate’s authority to suspend a member, Bamidele maintained that the decision was within the chamber’s constitutional and procedural rights.
“Again, some of the critics have also said we have no right to even suspend a member of this parliament of this senate. I would leave that within the context of jurisprudence as the court will always speak to that but it is very clear on our rules as to how far we can go and we are not of the opinion that we are in breach of either the constitution or any of our rules,” he added.
The motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi (PDP, Osun West). The vote of confidence in Akpabio was put to a voice vote by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin and was thereafter passed unanimously.
