Why Senate Can’t Probe Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Allegations, Akpabio’s Aide Replies Saraki

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

What Will They Eat When They Finish The Money? By Azu Ishiekwene

The grave is never satisfied, but other things compete with it for insatiability. I can’t help feeling that some members of Nigeria’s National Assembly will vie for the top place of never enough with the grave, water and fire. Enough is a stranger to them. What happens in these chambers in Abuja, in the name…

Minimum Wages in 50 U.S. States & 35 Countries, Adjusted for Living Costs

Key Takeaways After adjusting for inflation and price differences, statutory minimum wages in leading high-income economies—including Germany, Australia, and France—are higher than all 50 U.S. states. Under the same metrics D.C., Connecticut, Washington, and Arizona have the highest statutory minimum wages in the U.S. U.S. states following the federal minimum wage (which hasn’t moved since 2008), cluster at…

Lagos Issues Two-Week Ultimatum to Trade Fair Developers to Secure Bui

By Abiola Olawale The Lagos State Government has handed property developers and structure owners at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo a two-week deadline to obtain building approvals. The directive was announced by Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Thursday. The Commissioner stated that during the time frame, the developers…

Ad

By Kolawole Ojebisi

Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has stated why the Red Chamber cannot investigate the allegations levelled against his principal by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Eyiboh spoke during an interview on TVC News on Sunday.

He said Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi central senator, has not submitted any petition about the alleged sexual harassment to the national assembly.

He added that the Kogi senator did not mention sexual harassment in her suit filed against the senate president

Recall that on Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

The allegation spurred reactions from prominent Nigerians, including a lawsuit against the Kogi senator by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife.

Others have called for an investigation into the claims made by the Kogi senator.

Why weighing in into the case, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, advised the leadership of the 10th senate to follow the precedent laid when he was accused of an importing official car without paying customs duty at the 8th senate.

Asked during the interview if Saraki’s suggestion would be followed, Eyiboh said the ex-senate president’s suggestion has no place in the current conversation.

The media aide said what happened at the 8th senate when Saraki was accused of importing a car without paying customs duty is different from the sexual allegations levelled against Akpabio.

Akpabio’s aide added that the upper chamber cannot institute a panel to probe the Kogi senator’s allegations because there is no petition to that effect.

“What Bukola Saraki said has no place for contemplation at this level,” he said.

“There is no petition, either to the police, court or senate regarding sexual harassment. It is just somebody exercising the right to public communication, that is freedom of expression.

“She went to a public television platform another person could have gone to Wuse market to lay an allegation. And you are asking the institution to investigate.

“It is a different thing that happened to Senator Saraki during his time on the car issue.

“In this case, there is no petition anywhere. There is no petition on sexual harassment.

“So from where will the senate as an institution going to set up a panel? Who is the complainant? There is no complainant.

“What he (referring to Saraki) is saying has no place in the conversation.”

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp