Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has criticized the Nigerian Senate for passing a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing it as “worrisome.” Ologbondiyan noted that Akpabio has had nearly four votes of confidence passed on him in less than two years, an unprecedented occurrence.
The vote of confidence came after suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleged that she was suspended over her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. Ologbondiyan stated that a vote of confidence is usually passed during a crisis to show support for the presiding officer, implying that there is no peace in the Senate.
“The fact that vote of confidence has become a recurrent decimal in this particular Senate shows that there is no peace in the Senate,” Ologbondiyan said. “And if there is peace in the Senate, then it means that it could be a peace of the graveyard.”
In a separate development, Ologbondiyan welcomed the passing of the Tax Reform bills for a second reading by the Senate, stating that if well-processed, it could improve the electoral system. However, he emphasized the importance of public hearings and scrutiny to ensure that the bills are not biased towards any group or party.
Meanwhile, Akpabio has faced criticism over the sexual harassment allegations, with some calling for his resignation. The Senate’s vote of confidence has sparked debate about the Senate’s handling of the allegations and the implications for Akpabio’s leadership.
