- Safiu Kehinde
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Senator Neda Imasuen, has confirmed the rejection of the petition filed against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
NPO earlier reported Natasha’s submission of the petition before the Senate on Wednesday, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, misuse of power, and obstruction of her legislative function.
Few hours after the submission, the Red Chamber revisited the petition which Akpabio had initially passed for review by the Senate Committee on ethics.
Heated argument would, however, ensue over the petition as the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Munguno, challenged the validity of the petition based on procedural grounds.
Citing Order 40(4) of the Senate rules, Munguno warned that any deviation from established procedures could lead to “chaos and anarchy.”
He argued that the petition was personally signed by Natasha, thereby rendering it flawed as the Senate rules prohibit a senator from personally signing and submitting their own petition.
This was also backed by the Senate Majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who reinforced the argument that no senator can author and sign their own petition.
Following the plenary session, the disciplinary committee confirmed the rejection of the petition with Imasuen noting that it was dead on arrival.
“The petition she presented today is actually dead-on arrival.
“And I say that because because it runs contrary to Order 40 (4) that no Senator will present to the Senate, a petition signed by him or herself.
“And that petition, having been signed by her, will not be entertained by this committee.
“Ladies and gentlemen, she is not here, and I can understand why.
“She is not here under the orders of her lawyer. That being the case, the Committee will sit, and we will deliberate on what we’ve gotten from the distinugished Senators that presented their cases before us.” He said.