Senate Passes Vote of Confidence in Akpabio Amid Harassment Allegations

The Senate has overwhelmingly passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, despite allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The decision, made on Thursday, March 13, comes just 48 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, claiming her suspension was linked to her accusations against Akpabio.

In response, the Senate urged Nigerians to remain focused on legislative matters, stating that the allegations were already before the court and citing Order 40 of its standing rules, which prevents interference in judicial proceedings.

The motion for the vote of confidence was moved by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West), receiving unanimous support from the chamber.