Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has rejected the sexual harassment petition filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, citing constitutional violations and the ongoing court case on the allegations.
Bamidele argued that the petition, signed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to meet Senate procedural rules and should not be entertained.
Senator Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, made his stance clear during the Senate plenary session on Wednesday.
He referenced specific sections of the Nigerian Constitution and Senate rules to support his argument, stating, “Section 60 of which says we shall regulate our procedure.
“Secondly, we are guided by the rules of this Senate. Section 40, Subsection 4 of which also says no senator shall personally sign a petition to be laid before this Senate.”
He further emphasised that the issue was not about the Senate Committee on Ethics but about whether the matter should have been referred to any committee at all.
submitted the petition during Wednesday’s plenary session, citing Senate Rule 40. She alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions on the Senate floor as retaliation for rejecting his sexual advances.
However, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu previously dismissed the allegations, stating that there was no formal petition before the Senate and stressing that all matters must follow due parliamentary process.