Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi has dismissed claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended due to her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Instead, he asserted that the suspension stemmed from her misconduct and violation of Senate regulations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Opeyemi described the claims linking the suspension to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s harassment allegations as “totally false, misleading, and a deliberate effort to misrepresent the facts.”
According to him, the Kogi Central senator was suspended for “gross indiscipline” and repeated breaches of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
“Had Senator Uduaghan adhered to our guiding principles, her petition would have been considered by the Senate based on its merits, as is customary. However, she did not follow the institution’s established practices,” Opeyemi stated.
The suspension was reportedly recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen. The committee found that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules.
Detailing the infractions, Opeyemi stated that on February 25, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to take her designated seat during a plenary session, despite multiple appeals from the Minority Leader and senior senators. This action, he said, demonstrated “overt defiance and disorderly behaviour.”
Additionally, she allegedly spoke without being acknowledged by the presiding officer, an act that violates parliamentary procedure.
“Her actions were unruly and disruptive, hindering the orderly progress of Senate sessions,” Opeyemi added.
He further accused her of making “abusive and disrespectful comments” toward Senate leadership and ignoring summons from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which was investigating allegations of misconduct against her.
Reiterating that the suspension was based strictly on her conduct, Opeyemi emphasized, “The Senate adheres to proper procedures, and disciplinary measures are implemented when necessary to maintain the integrity of the institution.”
