Senator Solomon Adeola criticizes Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her alleged attempts to undermine the Senate and cautions the IPU against being manipulated. He defends the legitimacy of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and calls for evidence-based claims regarding harassment allegations. The senator urges the IPU to uphold the status of the Nigerian Parliament while commending fellow lawmakers for their integrity.
Senator Solomon Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has criticized fellow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her recent actions aimed at the Nigerian Parliament. He emphasized that no individual should assume a position superior to the Senate. In a statement, he cautioned the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) against being manipulated for purposes of blackmail against the National Assembly. This statement follows the Senate’s vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio to an international level, alleging political victimization during a discussion at a United Nations forum. Her earlier conflict with the Senate leadership arose from a new seating arrangement, which she maintained was an attempt to undermine her position. Subsequently, she accused Akpabio on national television of retaliating against her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
In response, Adeola asserted that the actions leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension were justified due to her non-compliance with the Senate’s Standing Orders. He affirmed, “As a member of the 10th Senate with experience in the 8th and 9th Senate, I assert that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was in gross violation of the Senate Standing Orders and the Senate did the appropriate thing in her suspension.”
Adeola further noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not exhaust the internal channels available to resolve her grievances and that her lawsuit against the Senate impedes the body’s ability to address her petition. He stated, “The Senate as an institution derives its power from the Constitution to make rules for its orderly conduct.”
With regard to the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio, Adeola maintained that such serious claims require substantial evidence and cautioned against tarnishing the reputation of the Nigerian Parliament. He dismissed claims that female senators face oppression, stating that all members receive the respect they merit both within the Senate and outside it.
Adeola commended Khafilat Oghara, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, for her integrity in supporting the truth. He called upon the IPU not to be swayed into actions that would undermine the parliament’s integrity and echoed praise for the IPU president’s prudent handling of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations.
Adeola concluded by reiterating that Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended until she meets the stipulations set forth for reconsideration of her suspension or until a decision is made by a competent court regarding her case.
In summary, Senator Solomon Adeola has firmly defended the integrity of the Nigerian Senate against allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He emphasizes that her suspension was warranted due to her violation of Senate rules and cautions international bodies against being used for personal agendas. Adeola urges respect for the parliamentary institution and supports the call for transparency and accountability in governance.
Original Source: punchng.com
