The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), has stated that there is no formal petition before the Senate regarding the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adaramodu described the allegation as “a storm in a teacup” and insisted that all senators, including Akpoti-Uduaghan, must adhere to the rules of the Senate in their conduct and utterances.
He clarified that the Senate, as an institution, does not react to media reports or social media trends but operates strictly within parliamentary procedures.
“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,” Adaramodu said.
Addressing the controversy over Senate seating arrangements, which allegedly led to the dispute, he emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan must abide by Senate rules.
He cited Order 6, which empowers the Senate President to assign seats to lawmakers, stressing that any violation undermines order in the chamber.
Adaramodu also dismissed calls by former Senate President Bukola Saraki urging Akpabio to submit to an open investigation, stating that no evidence of misconduct had been officially presented before the Senate.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over her conduct at last week’s plenary.