Senate spokesman refutes Natasha Akopti’s sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio

• Adaramodu clarified on Arise TV’s Morning Show that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has not submitted a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for investigation.

• The Senate’s proceedings are strictly conducted within the Red Chamber, and it is not obligated to respond to claims made on television.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has refuted the allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, characterizing them as a “storm in a teacup.”

During an appearance on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu noted that there has been no formal petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for any investigation.

He stressed that the Senate will not engage with claims presented on television, as its proceedings are conducted exclusively within the confines of the Red Chamber.

Adaramodu said: “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what is trending on social media. There must be a formal petition or a matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place.”

Regarding the controversy surrounding the reallocation of seats, Adaramodu asserted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must adhere to the Senate’s regulations as a legislator.

Referencing Order 6 of the Senate Standing Orders, which grants the Senate President the authority to assign seating to senators, Adaramodu affirmed that all lawmakers are required to address the chamber from their assigned seats, and any violation of this rule disrupts the order of proceedings.

He contended that if a senator properly follows the procedure for raising a point of order, no Senate President would refuse to acknowledge them. He also dismissed claims that the Senate President could intimidate colleagues by withholding recognition, asserting that all senators hold equal status within the chamber.

The Senate spokesman further supported his colleagues in rejecting the request made by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, which urged Senator Godswill Akpabio to submit to an open investigation to clear both his name and that of the Senate as an institution from the allegations raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“There is presently no formal matter before the Senate regarding these allegations. The only issue before the Senate is Senator Natasha’s non-compliance with the standing orders.”