The Senate has passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reaffirming its support for his leadership amid recent controversies.
Disclosing this in a statement by the Communications and Strategy team office of the President of the Senate, the resolution, moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele under Orders 40 and 51, called for a renewed focus on legislative duties, urging lawmakers to prioritise governance.
The Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, emphasised the need to shift attention to critical national issues, particularly in light of the recently passed national budget.
He stressed that the controversy at the heart of recent tensions is now before the courts and should be left to the legal system.
Senate Leader Bamidele addressed public concerns over the matter, dismissing reports that the issue was related to sexual harassment allegations. He clarified that the disciplinary action taken was strictly a response to a breach of Senate rules.
“I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
“The Senate President did not preside over any such case. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules, and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution,” Bamidele stated.
Defending the Senate’s authority to regulate its internal affairs, Bamidele insisted that disciplinary measures, including suspensions, are necessary to maintain order and uphold the integrity of the legislative process.
“It was never an issue before us that any member of the Senate was sexually harassed. We need to put the events of the last two weeks behind us and concentrate on the work before us. We have pressing responsibilities, including electoral reforms and legislative actions critical to national development,” he added.
Bamidele also responded to concerns raised by international bodies and civil society organizations, particularly regarding the Inter-Parliamentary Union. He clarified that any statements made by the senator involved in the controversy at the IPU meeting were personal opinions and not official representations of Nigeria.
On civil society concerns, he urged objectivity and cautioned against conflating political disputes with genuine cases of sexual harassment.
“We have heard you, but we need to concentrate on our work. If we choose to be silent on this matter going forward, know that it is intentional. Please be objective in your analysis and reserve energy for those who are genuine victims of sexual harassment,” Bamidele stated.
With the vote of confidence reaffirming Akpabio’s leadership, the Senate is redirecting its attention to pressing national issues, including: Electoral reforms to strengthen democratic processes, economic recovery policies, tax reforms, effective oversight of budget implementation.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin, reiterated that with the budget passed, lawmakers must focus on governance and allow the legal process to handle any outstanding matters.
The Senate’s resolution signals its commitment to stability and governance, moving past internal controversies to fulfill its legislative mandate in the interest of national progress.
Natasha sues Akpabio, others for contempt over suspension
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has filed contempt charges against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.
Others listed in the Form 48 contempt charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja and sighted on Thursday, include the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen.
It will be recalled that Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on March 4, while delivering a ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her legal team led by Michael Numa (SAN), restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with any investigation against the plaintiff/applicant.
This investigation related to alleged misconduct following events that occurred during the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025 and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.
The court’s order was to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.
The court also issued an order directing the defendants to show cause why an interlocutory injunction should not be granted to restrain them from proceeding with the purported investigation against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct, as such actions would affect her privileges as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
Additionally, the court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of the suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
The court granted Akpoti-Uduaghan permission to serve the originating summons and accompanying documents on all defendants through substituted means, such as delivering them to the Clerk of the National Assembly, cited as the 1st Defendant, or by pasting them on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing them in two national dailies.
However, just two days after the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
In response to the court order, the Senate President contested the power of the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.
In her contempt charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension constituted willful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4 stating that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.
According to Form 48, the defendants/contemnors “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding directive of the court and “proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court.”
The court, in a notice of disobedience of a court order signed by its Registrar pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, informed the defendants/contemnors of their willful disobedience to the court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
It warned that defying the subsisting order rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, which could result in their committal to prison.
