Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has dismissed the sexual harassment petition filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, arguing that it violates Senate procedures and is already the subject of a court case.
The petition, signed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleges that Akpabio deliberately blocked her motions in retaliation for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
However, Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, insists that the petition does not meet Senate rules and should not have been entertained.
Speaking during Wednesday’s plenary session, Bamidele referenced the Nigerian Constitution and Senate Standing Orders, stating:
“Section 60 states that we shall regulate our procedure. Additionally, Order 40(4) of the Senate rules clearly states that no senator shall personally sign a petition before presenting it to the Senate.”
He further argued that the real issue is not whether the Senate Committee on Ethics should review the case but whether it should have been referred to any committee at all.
“Mr. Senate President, you were emotional in handling this because you didn’t want to be seen as blocking the petition,” Bamidele said, criticizing Akpabio for forwarding the petition to an “incompetent” committee.
Despite acknowledging his respect for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Bamidele maintained that the petition should be discarded for two key reasons:
1.The allegations of sexual harassment are already before a court.
2.The petition violates Order 40(4) of Senate rules.
He concluded by urging the Senate to move on from the issue, stating,
“There is no way we can accept this petition. Let’s move to the next issue of the day.”
Meanwhile, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu previously dismissed the allegations, stating that no formal petition was before the Senate and that all matters must follow due process.
