The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has declined requests for live television coverage of its sessions, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, is set to appear before the panel regarding allegations of misconduct on Wednesday.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, made this announcement during an interview on Arise News TV’s ‘The Morning Show,’ which was observed by our correspondent. Explaining the committee’s decision, Imasuen emphasised the need to maintain focus on the issue at hand without external distractions.
Regarding the media, we must exercise caution to avoid exaggerating the situation. This is a matter that resides within the Senate, and turning it into a media spectacle could prove to be a distraction. My committee room has limited capacity, accommodating only a small number of individuals, while the committee comprises approximately 23 or 24 members. It is essential for us to maintain our focus on the issue at hand and not allow ourselves to be distracted by any other matter.
He guaranteed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would receive a fair hearing, saying: “Senator Natasha has the same rights as any other senator, and those rights will be upheld. She will have a fair hearing in this situation as long as I am involved. She is my friend, and no one will violate her rights.” When asked about the current issues related to alleged sexual misconduct in the Senate, Imasuen chose not to comment, mentioning legal constraints.
The issue of sex in the Senate is currently under judicial review, which renders the discussion sub judice. As a legal professional, I am unable to comment on any issues that are pending in court, and I must uphold that principle. Additionally, the committee chairman addressed the issue of seating arrangements in the Senate, which have been reported to create some friction. He referred to the procedural guidelines of the Senate, noting, “The issue we are discussing in the committee pertains to seating arrangements. I must direct you to Order Six of our rule book, which governs Senate operations. It explicitly states that seating is assigned to senators in the same manner as our offices, and circumstances may arise that require a reallocation of seats.”
Senator Imasuen refuted allegations of gender-based discrimination within Senate proceedings, emphasizing that Senate President Godswill Akpabio does not unfairly target female senators. “There are four women serving as senators in this Assembly, and I can confidently say that I have a close relationship with at least three of them. I sit beside Senator Ireti Kingibe, whom I regard as a friend. “The matter at hand is not about sexual harassment; it pertains to privilege. I do not think it was aimed at anyone based on their gender. There are numerous occasions when I raise my hand to speak, yet the Senate President may choose to recognize someone behind me instead. However, he cannot accommodate every senator’s viewpoint at every session; it is ultimately his decision.
The Senate President has, in my view refrained from making any inappropriate remarks towards the female senators, and to the best of my knowledge, none of them have expressed any concerns regarding sexual harassment related to him or anyone else.. It’s important to note that we often share jokes in the Senate, he stated. In closing, Imasuen called on Nigerians to permit the committee to manage the situation without outside influence. “Everyone should exercise patience and let us address the matter at hand,” he emphasized.
