A former senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside for an impartial investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Mr Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South at the ninth National Assembly, told journalists on Friday in Okitipupa that Mr Akpabio “cannot preside over his case.”

“The allegation of sexual harassment is a serious one, either true or false; it behoves Akpabio to step aside for impartial investigation and let his deputy preside over legislative matters pending the decision of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions,” Mr Tofowomo said.

He added, “Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken the case to the United Nations, and we should not make ourselves and our country a laughing stock among the comity of nations over this matter but do the right thing as distinguished members.”

The Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, over a sexual harassment allegation against the Senate president and a standoff with him over seating arrangements during plenary.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had also petitioned the Senate, which rejected her claims.

However, Mr Tofowomo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who said his view was not based on political affiliation, noted that “the National Assembly should be a place where laws are obeyed and not flouted.”

According to him, the National Assembly makes and implements laws which must be obeyed.

“Suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan was wrong in its entirety; if the Senate said she violated its standing rules, is there anywhere she have been warned? No, so why the sudden suspension?

“Women are supposed to be treated with a lot of courtesy and respect. Yes, there may be a serious allegation, but the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions should investigate the matter in order to exonerate Akpabio,” Tofowomo said.

The former senator maintained that what was distinguished on senators was their ability to obey and respect the laws and do the needful at all times.

He added that out of the 109 senators, only Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East, told Mr Akpabio the bitter truth over Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan matter.

The PDP chieftain, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to wade into the matter, noting that the matter has been taken to the United Nations and could have a bad image on Nigeria if not treated with the utmost caution.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in the Senate president over the matter.

(NAN)