The Nigerian Senate has passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, amid a sexual harassment allegation levelled against him by suspended lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Speaking at plenary on Thursday, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that fellow lawmakers will no longer discuss the allegation against Akpabio in media spaces.

According to him, the decision would enable them to concentrate on the duty which they were elected for.

He also stated that ignoring Natasha's allegation would save them enough energy to be able to attend to genuine cases of sexual harassment when they arise.

Bamidele said, "We have hope in this country and we know that things are getting better and we will continue to work on overriding public interest to ensure that we move this country forward. We have heard you loud and clear but we need to concentrate on our work. So if we do not debate this matter any longer, if we do not appear in media house to discuss this matter, if we choose to just be silent on this matter and let the court do its job and let things take a natural course, know that it is a deliberate decision on our part, it is intentional and we are doing this so that we do not get distracted.

"We also beg you to please be objective in your analysis and that you also save energy for those genuine victims of sexual harassment who will also need your time and attention.

Mr President, I thank you so much. And in rounding up, I just want to say that it is the candid opinion of this leadership in consultation with distinguished Senators here that we do not only stand united around our mandate but that we also communicate this clearly to members of the Nigerian public by moving a vote of confidence in the Senator Godswill Apabio leadership of this Senate and also thank the entire Senators for the ways they have handled this matter."

ASA