Why Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio a storm in a teacup, says Senate spokesman

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, has described allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Senate President Godwin Akpabio by the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as a storm in a teacup.

Mr Adaramodu disclosed this during an interview on Arise TV on Monday.
The senate spokesman, however, insisted that all senators are bound to adhere to Senate rules in their conduct and utterances.

He explained that the Senate, as an institution, would not react to speculations or issues raised on a television program or other media platforms.

He said: “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what is trending on social media. There must be a formal petition or a matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place.

“There is no formal matter before the Senate regarding these allegations. The only issue before the Senate is Senator Natasha’s non-compliance with the standing orders.”

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the sitting arrangement which sparked the chain of events, the Senate spokesman explained that his colleague, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, must submit herself to rules of the Senate.

Citing Order 6 of the Senate rules which empowers the Senate President to assign seats to senators, he noted that all lawmakers, by the rules of the Senate, were expected to speak from their designated seats.

According to him, any breach of this rule undermines order in the chamber.