Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has dismissed the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing them as a “storm in a teacup.” Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu pointed out that no formal petition has been submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for an investigation.
He stressed that the Senate does not act on claims made on television and that its proceedings are conducted strictly within the Red Chamber. “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what’s trending on social media. There must be a formal petition or matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place,” Adaramodu stated.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the reallocation of seats, Adaramodu emphasized that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must adhere to the Senate’s rules as a legislator. He referenced Order 6 of the Senate Standing Orders, which grants the Senate President the authority to assign seats to senators, and stated that all lawmakers are expected to speak from their designated seats. Any deviation from this rule, he said, undermines the order of the chamber.
He further clarified that any senator who follows the correct procedure in raising a point of order will always be recognized by the Senate President, and dismissed suggestions that the Senate President could intimidate colleagues by denying them recognition, insisting that all senators are equal in the chamber.
Adaramodu also backed his colleagues who rejected the call by former Senate President Bukola Saraki for Senator Akpabio to submit himself to an open probe to clear his name. He reiterated, “There is currently no formal matter before the Senate regarding these allegations. The only issue before the Senate is Senator Natasha’s non-compliance with the standing orders.”