The Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in its President, Godswill Akpabio, clearing him of the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by suspended lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“We don’t only stand united around our mandate but also communicate this clearly to members of the Nigerian public by moving a vote of confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio, the leadership of this Senate, ” said Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary on Thursday.

The Senate’s decision came a few days after Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan reported the alleged sexual harassment case to the United Nation Inter-Parliamentary Union in New York, urging speedy intervention.

Mr Bamidele, a lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, stressed the need for the Senate not to discuss the development in public any longer, reaffirming lawmakers’ commitment to the development of Nigeria.

The lawmaker stressed, “If we do not debate this matter anymore, appear on media houses or choose to be silent on this matter and let the court do their job or things take their natural course, know that it’s a deliberate, intentional decision on our part, and we are doing this in order not to get distracted.”

However, Mr Bamidele acknowledged the perspectives from members of civil society organisations, urging them to be objective in their analysis in overriding public interest.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had condemned her suspension as an obvious manifestation of gender-based violence and injustice in Nigerian politics, accusing the Senate of gang-up against her.