A confrontation was seen yesterday afternoon between nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi after the senator refused to read her written apology to the Assembly as approved by the plenary.
The nominated senator who walked away without apology stated that it would be prejudice as there is an ongoing court case over the parts that she was skipping.
The parts that the lawmaker refused to read included a clause that acknowledged she had acted in a manner that constituted a breach of Parliamentary privilege which reflected adversely on the dignity and the integrity of Parliament a matter that she previously refuted.
“I, Senator Gloria Orwoba, hereby tender my unreserved apology to this Senate. I undertake that I shall abide by the responsibilities of leadership as set out in the constitution, the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 2017. I therefore beseech to be admitted to the chamber. I thank you,” she read.
However, not satisfied, Kingi ordered her to re-read.
He gave an ultimatum for her to re-read the prescribed apology or go and come back when to read it as it is.
It was at this point that Orwoba stood her ground, refusing to perjure herself on the ongoing court case and opting to walk away instead.
Gloria Orwoba whose suspension was reduced from 79 days to thirty was to deliver the apology to the senate before being allowed in the chambers.
“Following the resolutions passed, Senator Gloria Orwoba is expected to tender an apology to the Senate, Honourable Senators, the Clerk of the Senate, and the Secretariat of Parliament before being admitted to the Senate,” the speaker had directed at the start of the session.
