Senator representing Ekiti South and Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed the raging allegation of sexual harassment levelled against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, as a storm in a teacup.
Adaramodu made the remarks on Monday while featuring on Arise TV’s monitored programme, Morning Show.
The Senate Spokesman maintained that there was no formal petition from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation. 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.
He 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 controversy surrounding the seating arrangement, Senator Adaramodu said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit herself to the rules of the Senate.
Citing Order 6 of the Senate rules, which mandates that the Senate President assigns seats to senators, Senator 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 insinuations that the President of the Senate could intimidate his colleagues by denying them recognition, as he submitted 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 investigation to clear himself and the Senate as an institution from the allegation raised 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.”
