Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for six months by the Senate on Thursday after a vote was conducted following the report from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. The suspension was related to her violations of Senate rules and disorderly conduct during Senate proceedings.
Details of the Suspension
The motion to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan was passed unanimously by the Senate after the committee’s findings were presented by Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Ethics Committee. According to the committee’s report, Akpoti-Uduaghan had persistently violated Senate rules and disrupted proceedings, particularly refusing to relocate to her newly allocated seat and raising points of order from an unauthorized seat.
In addition to the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office will be locked, and she will be barred from the Senate premises. Her salaries and allowances will be suspended, and she will also be stripped of all legislative privileges during the suspension period. Security details assigned to her will also be withdrawn, and she will be prohibited from presenting herself as a Senator both locally and internationally.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Reaction
After the suspension was announced, Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly spoke, asserting that the “injustice would not be sustained.” Her defiant statement came just after she had re-submitted a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding allegations of sexual harassment. She claimed that the petition had been signed by one of her constituents and sought to clarify that there were no legal impediments to presenting the petition. Despite this, the Senate referred the petition to the Ethics Committee for review.
Background on the Allegations
The sexual harassment petition had been previously rejected by the Senate after Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to submit it, citing a violation of Order 40(4), which prohibits Senators from signing their own petitions. The matter was further complicated by an ongoing court case involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, which led to the “sub judice” status of the petition.
Senators’ Reactions and Arguments
There were mixed reactions from senators during the debate on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), the Senate Chief Whip, argued that the Kogi senator's actions had caused disorder and disrespect to the Senate and its leadership. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also supported the suspension, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behavior was a violation of Senate rules.
Minority Leader Abba Moro (Benue South), however, appealed for the suspension period to be reduced from six months to three months, acknowledging that breaches had consequences but urging leniency.
Senate President Akpabio’s Defense
In a separate remark, Senate President Akpabio dismissed the allegations of sexual harassment, describing Akpoti-Uduaghan as a friend of many years and recalling how he had attended her wedding. He emphasized his responsibility as Senate President to interpret and enforce the rules, and expressed his intention to continue doing so impartially.
Conclusion
The Senate's decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked significant debate, with some calling it necessary to uphold the sanctity of the Senate chamber, while others have questioned the fairness of the move. Akpoti-Uduaghan's sexual harassment petition is still under review by the Ethics Committee, but the suspension has left her without the ability to participate in legislative activities for the next six months unless she complies with the conditions for reconsideration.
