Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has dismissed reports that Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months over her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement issued on Saturday, March 8, Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central, clarified that the suspension was based on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s repeated misconduct, violation of Senate rules, and acts of indiscipline.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline-nothing more, nothing less,” Bamidele said.

The Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective Thursday, March 6, following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Neda Imasuen.

The decision, backed by a majority of senators, stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s misconduct, including her refusal to comply with the designated seating arrangement and disruptions during the plenary session on Thursday, February 20.

As part of the disciplinary action, the senator’s security aides were withdrawn, her office at the National Assembly was closed, and all Senate-owned property in her possession was ordered to be returned to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

She was also barred from accessing the National Assembly premises for the duration of her suspension.

Additionally, Akpoti-Uduaghan will not receive her salary or allowances during the six-month period and is prohibited from representing herself as a senator in both local and international engagements.

However, the Senate indicated that the suspension could be reconsidered if she submits a written apology, which the leadership may review before the full term expires.

While the Senate outlined its reasons for her suspension, media reports, both domestic and international, have speculated that the decision was linked to her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele dismissed these claims, calling them misleading and a misrepresentation of facts.

He insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was strictly due to her repeated violations of Senate rules and that the chamber was obligated to enforce disciplinary measures.

“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Senator Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.

“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Senator Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” the senate leader said.

Speaking on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition, Bamidele clarified that the Senate dismissed it due to procedural irregularities.

He cited Senate Order 40 (4), which prohibits senators from personally signing and submitting petitions on their own behalf.

Since Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to comply with this rule, her petition was deemed ineligible for consideration.

“Contrary to the false claims being circulated, Senator Uduaghan was NOT suspended for making any sexual harassment or for submitting a petition.

“Her petition was rightfully discountenanced because it failed to meet the clear and established procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate. The rules of the Senate apply to all members without exception, and no petition-regardless of its subject-can be considered if it does not follow due process,” he said.

The Senate Leader emphasized that attributing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension to her sexual harassment allegations was a deliberate misrepresentation intended to mislead the public.

“To suggest that her suspension was linked to her petition is not only a distortion of facts but an intentional and malicious attempt to mislead the public,” he said.

Bamidele criticized both local and international media for distorting the facts, accusing them of spreading a false narrative through misleading reports.

“The Senate strongly condemns the irresponsible and unethical reporting by some media organisations that have deliberately twisted the facts to suit a false narrative.

“This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended). It is reckless, misleading, and a disservice to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who deserve truthful and factual reporting,” he added.

He called on local and international media to rectify their inaccurate reports and avoid spreading misinformation that could damage the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative system.

“We, therefore, urge all foreign correspondents and responsible media houses to correct these misrepresentations and avoid propagating falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process,” he said.

Bamidele emphasized that the Senate is dedicated to maintaining discipline and enforcing parliamentary ethics impartially, without regard to a senator’s rank, gender, or political affiliation..

“The Senate remains committed to upholding discipline, order, and parliamentary ethics. No senator-regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation-is above the rules of the Senate. Senator Uduaghan’s suspension was the direct consequence of her actions and nothing else,” he said.

He urged the public and media to dismiss any false reports and verify facts before amplifying narratives driven by political agendas.

“We urge the public and the media to disregard any false reports suggesting otherwise and to always seek the truth before spreading politically motivated narratives,” the senate leader stated.