Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate has stated that it will not address the matter unless a formal petition is submitted.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu made this known on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Monday, March 3, 2025. He emphasized that the Senate does not deliberate on issues solely because they are trending on social media.
“In the Senate, we don’t conduct our affairs based on matters picked from Facebook or the media. There must be an explicit complaint from a senator regarding any misconduct by a fellow senator. If such a complaint is raised, the Senate will deliberate and decide whether the matter is worth discussing,” Adaramodu said.
The controversy arose after a seating reassignment in the Senate led to a heated exchange, during which Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. She claimed the Senate President had been frustrating her attempts to raise a motion on the Ajaokuta Steel Company because she refused his advances.
However, Adaramodu maintained that unless a petition is formally submitted, the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee cannot take up the case.
“We do not conduct our legislative business on the pages of newspapers. It is only what is before us that we discuss,” he added.
