Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, has rejected the calls for President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to resign following an allegation of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“We reject calls on him to resign based on a mere allegation,” his royal majesty said in a statement yesterday, according to him the Senate President deserves a fair hearing.
Natasha in an interview with ARISE NEWS Channel on Friday accused Akpabio of victimising her because she refused the Senate’s presiding officer’s sexual advances.
The allegation attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some asking him to step down pending an investigation.
However, Dakolo backed Akpabio, saying, “The South-South stands with Akpabio.”
He expressed implicit confidence in the presiding officer’s integrity,
“I have confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio. He is a son of the South-South who has lived a life that has projected a commendable legacy thus far. “Additionally, he has been pivotal to Nigeria’s political stability for the last two years.”
He called for an inquiry to determine the veracity of the allegation,
“When an accusation of the type that Senator Natasha Akpoti has made against the Senate President is made, the best course of action would be to institute a Senate Inquiry into the matter, which will examine the veracity of the claims and the past of the claimant and the accused.”
Saying it was not the accused’s duty to prove their innocence, Dakolo picked holes in Natasha’s allegation, wandering why it came at the time a disciplinary action was being taken against her by the Senate.
“The allegation is suspicious. It is extremely suspicious,” he said, adding, “the South-south has given so much to Nigeria over the years.
Therefore, it is hoped that Nigeria and Nigerians can provide justice and respect back to a region that has shown total commitment to Nigeria by treating its son with the respect he deserves.”
It’s mere storm in a tea cup, says Senate spokesman
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has dismissed alleged sexual harassment made against Akpabio, as a storm in a tea cup.
Adaramodu stated this yesterday during a national television programme.
The Senator representing Ekiti South said there is no formal petition from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for investigation concerning her claim.
He said the Senate would not react to issues raised on a television programme as its affairs must be conducted solely within the confines of the Red Chamber.
Adaramodu said: “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what is trending on social media.
“There must be a formal petition or a matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place.” On the uproar generated by reallocation of seats, Adaramodu said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit herself to rules of the Senate as a legislator.
Citing Order 6 of the Senate Standing Orders which vests on the Senate President the power to assign seats to senators, Adaramodu declared that all lawmakers are expected to speak from their designated seats, and any breach of this rule undermines order in the chamber.
He argued that if a senator follows due process in raising a point of order, no Senate President would deny him or her recognition.
He equally dismissed insinuation that the President of the Senate could intimidate his colleagues by denying them recognition, saying that all senators are equal in the chamber.
The Senate spokesman also aligned with his colleagues who rejected the call by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki asking Senator Godswill Akpabio to submit himself to an open probe to clear his name and that of the Senate as an institution from the allegation made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“There is presently 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.”
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Natasha’s Allegation: Nobody Can Force Akpabio Out, Says King Dakolo