The Senate has announced that it cannot investigate the allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio due to the lack of a formal petition. This decision was made public by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
According to Adaramodu, the Senate requires a formal petition or a matter raised before it can initiate an investigation. He emphasized that the Senate does not conduct its affairs based on social media trends or speculations raised on television programs or other media platforms.
The controversy surrounding Akpabio stems from allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, Adaramodu described the allegations as “a storm in a teacup” and stressed that all senators must adhere to Senate rules in their conduct and utterances.
Adaramodu also addressed the issue of sitting arrangements, which sparked the controversy. He explained that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit herself to the rules of the Senate, citing Order 6, which empowers the Senate President to assign seats to senators.
The Senate has also rejected calls for an open investigation into the allegations, with most senators opposing the suggestion made by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to investigate her conduct during last week’s plenary session.
