Senator Solomon Adeola criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for attempting to leverage the International Parliamentary Union against the Nigerian parliament. He defended the Senate’s actions following her suspension for violation of orders and denied claims of oppression of female senators. Adeola warned the IPU against succumbing to blackmail against the parliament.
Senator Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, rebuffed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s efforts to leverage the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) against Nigeria’s parliament. In a statement, he emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan should not attempt to portray herself as larger than the Senate, especially after the recent vote of confidence for Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Akpabio of political victimization during a United Nations forum, following her suspension after a conflict regarding seating arrangements in the Senate. She previously alleged that her suspension resulted from her denunciation of Akpabio’s supposed sexual advances, which further escalated tensions between them.
In response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims during her address at the Women in Parliament session in New York, Senator Adeola reaffirmed that her suspension was warranted due to her violations of Senate Standing Orders and the Nigerian Constitution. He stated, “As a member of the 10th Senate with experience as a member of the 8th and 9th Senate, I make bold to say that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was in gross violation of the Senate Standing Orders and the Senate did the appropriate thing in her suspension.”
Furthermore, Adeola highlighted that Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to utilize available internal mechanisms to address her issues prior to her public complaints. He clarified that her lawsuit against the Senate renders her petition inadmissible until resolved by a competent court.
The senator rejected allegations of systematic oppression faced by female senators, asserting that respect and proper decorum are extended to all members in the Senate. He commended the representation of the women’s committee chairperson, Khafilat Oghara, for standing by the principles of truth. Adeola urged the IPU not to acquiesce to pressures that might undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s parliament, stating, “IPU should not succumb to being used as an instrument of blackmail against a national institution of parliament.”
Lastly, Adeola reinforced that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension remains in effect unless she meets the conditions set forth for reconsideration or if a court ruling contradicts her suspension.
The ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s Senate highlight a contentious dispute between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate leadership, culminating in her suspension and allegations of victimization. Senator Solomon Adeola has robustly defended the Senate’s actions, asserting their adherence to constitutional mandates while calling on the IPU to resist external pressures. The situation illustrates important discussions surrounding accountability and decorum within legislative institutions.
Original Source: punchng.com
