Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of trivializing serious allegations by turning them into ethnic and political sentiments. Saraki, in a statement signed by his media aide Yusuph Olaniyonu, responded to Akpabio’s claim that calls for an investigation into the allegations against him were an attempt to remove a Niger Delta person from office.
Saraki dismissed this assertion as “cheap politics”, urging Akpabio to focus on preserving the integrity of the Senate rather than exploiting ethnic and political divisions.
Clarifying his stance, Saraki stated that his March 1st, 2025, press release did not call for Akpabio’s resignation. Instead, he advised the Senate President to ensure a transparent and credible investigation into the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to prevent any perception of a cover-up.
According to Saraki, the issue at hand is not about political affiliations or regional backgrounds but about ensuring that the Senate does not appear complicit in cases of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, or abuse of office. He emphasized that when such allegations arise in a legislative institution, they must be handled with utmost transparency to maintain public confidence.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Allegations and Senate Response
The crisis began with a dispute over seat arrangements in the Senate but quickly escalated when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Akpabio has denied the allegations, and the Senate responded by suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months on Thursday for allegedly violating Senate rules.
Saraki argued that the Senate’s handling of the matter should be impartial, stressing that a thorough and transparent probe would demonstrate the institution’s commitment to justice and protect its reputation. He also warned against using ethnic and political sentiments to distract from the core issue.
Saraki reaffirmed his commitment to defending the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative institutions, urging the Senate to conduct an honest investigation that would restore public and international confidence.
“People like Dr. Saraki have made huge sacrifices in defending the integrity of the legislative institution and will not desist in speaking up for the right thing to be done,” the statement read.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are now on Akpabio and the Senate leadership to determine whether a credible investigation will be conducted or if the matter will be swept under the carpet.
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