Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reacted to claims by the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which she reported to the United Nations Inter-parliamentary union in New York on Tuesday.
Natasha claimed that she was suspended from the Senate for accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.
However in a letter to the IPU, by the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate debunked Natasha’s claim, adding that she was suspended for disobeying the rules of the institution and not because of her petition against anyone.
During plenary on Thursday, March 13, Akpabio, while reacting to the recent incidents accused Natasha of disinformation, distortion of facts and misrepresentation of the Nigerian Senate in an international arena.
According to Akpabio, Natasha tried to embarrass the Red Chamber by presenting a false narrative to the international community.
The senate President said: “It is also important for the public to know that whatever decision we arrive at here is unanimous, because I recall the last decision we took which concerns one of our sisters Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“I am aware that when she left the chambers, she distorted the facts and globalised the matter, attempting to embarrass the Federal Republic of Nigeria by giving a different narrative. I appreciate Hon Kafilat for clarifying to the international media that what was presented was completely different from the reality.
“She brought the matter before the Senate through a petition but did not allow us to examine it. Instead, she took it to court and later to the international community. Actions like these could discourage politicians from appointing women into key positions.”
