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| Senator Solomon Adeola |
Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West, has described the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as an attack on Nigeria’s parliament.
Adeola emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan cannot elevate herself above the institution of the Senate. He noted that her actions violated the Senate’s standing orders, justifying her suspension by the upper legislative chamber.
This stance aligns with the Senate’s recent vote of confidence in Akpabio, despite ongoing controversy over the sexual harassment allegation.
“We are all senators-elect until sworn in with the constitution and the standing orders. It is only then that we become senators under oath to abide by the constitution and the standing orders,” Adeola said in a statement on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
According to the senator, Akpoti-Uduaghan did not exhaust internal resolution mechanisms before filing a lawsuit against the presiding officer and the senate.
“The senate as an institution derives its power from the constitution to make rules for its orderly conduct. And the legislative house (powers and privilege) act 2018 grants the senate rights to conduct its affairs as an arm of government free from judicial encumbrances,” he said.
“The outcome of its decisions can be challenged but the senate cannot be stopped from functioning as an arm of government.”
He said the 10th senate is gender friendly as is evident in many passed bills and motions.
Adeola added that female senators have not been suppressed, silenced or oppressed “as all honour and courtesies due any senator are accorded to them within and outside the red chamber.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken her case against Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
“I want to call on the International Parliamentary Union, IPU, not to be coaxed to do anything that will diminish the status of the parliament as the bastion of democracy,” Adeola added.
“IPU should not succumb to being used as an instrument of blackmail against a national institution of parliament.”
Adeola said Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended “until she fulfils the conditions offered for her suspension to be reconsidered or a court of competent jurisdiction decides otherwise.”
He added that the senate is bigger than all the present members “and will outlive all of the members in due course.”
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