The Nigerian Senate has strongly refuted claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended for accusing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment.

In a statement released on Saturday, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, clarified that the suspension was due to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “flagrant disobedience” of the Senate’s Standing Orders and her “unparliamentary behavior” during plenary sessions.

“The suspension was based on her repeated violations of legislative decorum, not because of her allegations against the Senate President,” Bamidele emphasized.

“She refused to sit in her assigned seat and spoke out of turn, which are clear breaches of Senate protocol.”

The Senate confirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after the Ethics and Privileges Committee’s report concluded that she violated sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders.

However, Bamidele stated, “If Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology, the suspension may be lifted before the full term.”

Despite the Senate’s position, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that her suspension was a retaliatory move for her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. Bamidele rejected these claims as “misleading and a distortion of the facts.”

Meanwhile, the Advocacy for Integrity and Rule of Law (AIRL) has warned that the handling of the suspension could harm the Senate’s reputation and undermine public trust.

AIRL Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim Gamawa, urged the Senate to exercise caution, stating, “This ongoing conflict could tarnish the integrity of the Senate and jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.”