The Nigerian Senate has passed a unanimous vote of confidence in its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during its plenary session on Thursday.
The motion, which affirmed the lawmakers’ support for Akpabio, was moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West).
This decision comes shortly after the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York. During her address, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she was suspended for raising sexual harassment claims against Akpabio.
In a related development, reports indicate that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed contempt charges against Akpabio and other lawmakers over her six-month suspension without pay.
Reacting to the situation, the Senate has called on Nigerians to remain focused on key national issues, emphasizing that the case is already before the court. Citing Order 40 of its standing rules, the Senate maintained that it cannot interfere in a matter under judicial review.
