IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Senate has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Thursday’s plenary session.
The motion was moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader, Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West). The resolution reaffirms the Senate’s support for Akpabio’s leadership amid recent controversies.
This decision comes just two days after the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York. She alleged that her six-month suspension without pay was a retaliatory move for raising sexual harassment claims against Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has since filed contempt charges against Akpabio and other Senate leaders over her suspension. However, the Senate maintains that her suspension was due to misconduct and not the harassment allegations.
In response to the controversy, the Senate urged Nigerians to focus on legislative matters and not be distracted by ongoing legal disputes. Citing Order 40 of its standing rules, the Senate reiterated that it could not intervene in a matter already before the court.
The vote of confidence solidifies Akpabio’s position as Senate President, despite growing tensions surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims and the legal battle that lies ahead.
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