Nominated senator Gloria Orwoba on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, walked out of the senate chambers after she refused to read a pre-written apology statement.
The legislator, whose 79-day suspension which was to end on May 1, 2025, was revised to 30 days, was invited to read an apology letter written by the powers and privileges committee and ratified by the senate plenary; but she read her own statement.
Senate speaker Amason Kingi was, however, keen to note the varying wording from the statement, urging Orwoba to read the prescribed apology or leave the chambers until such a time that she will be able to read the exact apology.
“Mr Speaker, 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,” Orwoba read to the chagrin of the Senate speaker.
Pre-written apology statement
Kingi said that Orwoba should read her apology as follows:
“I Senator Gloria Orwoba hereby tender my unreserved apology to the Senate, honourable senators, the clerk of the Senate and the secretariat of Parliament for having acted in a manner which pursuant to section 16(e) and paragraph 7 and 8 of the Fourth Schedule, to the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, constituted a breach of parliamentary privilege and that reflected adversely on the dignity and integrity of Parliament and its members and was contrary to the best interests of Parliament and its members,” Kingi read.
“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.”
Two options
However, Orwoba maintained that she could not read a self-incriminating sentence in the apology statement as the matter was pending before court and had yet to be determined.
Upon saying so, Kingi informed Orwoba that she had only the option of reading the apology statement as is or leaving the chambers. She chose the latter but not before delivering her position on the whole disciplinary matter.
“I have been advised Mr Speaker that the prescribed apology in the wording it has been put, I have been advised that it’s self-incriminating and undermines my right to a fair process with the current court proceeding,” Orwoba remarked.
“This being the last statement that I make, I continue to stand by my statement and I want to say that it is truly unfair that an incriminating statement is being put in an apology so that I can tie myself down to something that has not been investigated.”
Orwoba stated that she is comfortable with foregoing her perks and salary at the senate, rather than apologizing in a manner that incriminates her before investigations are done to determine the veracity of the allegations which led to her suspension from the chambers.
“I’m not going to trade a salary for something that has not been investigated. I can stay without the salary, I can stay without the position and I continue to say that it’s unfair that someone who reported a matter is being taken through this,” she said before walking out of the senate chambers.
