Taiwo Popoola
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday descended into confusion and chaos over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
Natasha rose on Order 10 of the Senate Rules to allow her petition against Akpabio to be admitted and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Natasha presented her petition against the Senate President after Akpabio earlier in his address declared that he had never harassed any woman in his life.
Senator Mohammed Monguno through Order 40, drew the attention of the chamber to the fact that the Nigerian Senate lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter as it has been taken to court.
Citing relevant ‘Orders and Rules’ guiding Senate proceedings, Monguno submitted that “the power to debate on the allegation of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio has been taken away”.
He maintained that any attempt to debate on the matter would be subjudice and an affront to the powers of the court, maintaining that the court be allowed to adjudicate on the matter.
“Mr Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Ekaete Akpabio and her family have gone to court against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan after she appeared on Arise Television on Thursday last week.
“This means this hallowed chamber cannot debate on the same matter as the chamber has been stopped,” he added.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi expressed sympathy with the Senate President to have allowed the petition to be referred to the Committee, saying that the ‘Rules and Order’ doesn’t allow a senator to sign a petition personally against the Senate leadership.
“The Senate erred to have admitted the petition as it is only the constituents that could have signed and forwarded the petition.
“It appeared Akpabio didn’t want the matter to look as if he was disallowing somebody from expressing her rights and hence allowed the error to be committed.
“I move that the chamber go into closed door (session),” Opeyemi said.
