The Senate has passed a vote of confidence on its President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership
Gatekeepers News reports that the resolution followed a motion by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and seconded by Olalere Oyewumi, deputy minority leader and senator representing Osun West.
Recall that on Tuesday, March 11, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended senator representing Kogi central, reported her s*xual harassment case against Akpabio to United States Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Bamidele in his lead debate noted that the matter referred to Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with s*xual harassment.
He added, “ The Senate President did not preside over any such case. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules, and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution.”
The legislator stressed that disciplinary measures, including suspensions, are necessary to maintain order and uphold the integrity of the legislative process.
He added, “It was never an issue before us that any member of the Senate was s*xually harassed. We need to put the events of the last two weeks behind us and concentrate on the work before us. We have pressing responsibilities, including electoral reforms and legislative actions critical to national development.”
Bamidele also responded to concerns raised by international bodies and civil society organizations, particularly regarding the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
He further said that any statements made by Senator Natasha at the IPU meeting were personal opinions and not official representations of Nigeria.
The senate leader said the house would henceforth focus on its mandate of lawmaking and oversight and allow the judiciary to adjudicate on all issues pending before it.
