Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to “face reality and do what is right” in response to allegations raised against him.
Saraki’s remarks came after Akpabio claimed that certain individuals from Adamawa and Kwara states were plotting his removal. The Senate President made this assertion on Friday while addressing a group of Niger Delta youth leaders. Though he did not name anyone specifically, his comments followed statements from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Saraki—both from the mentioned states—urging Akpabio to step aside over sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in Akwa Ibom. This allegation surfaced shortly after a heated disagreement between the two over Senate chamber seating arrangements.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki criticized Akpabio’s response to the matter, describing it as “cheap politics and trivializing a serious issue.” He emphasized the need for a fair and transparent investigation into the allegations to uphold the integrity of the Senate.
“Dr. Saraki in his last comment on the Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan crisis never called on the Senate President to resign or step aside. Rather, he urged Akpabio to recognize that perception shapes reality and that mishandling the allegations could create the impression that the Senate is attempting to shield issues of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office,” the statement read.
Saraki reiterated that his stance was not about party affiliations or regional differences but about protecting the credibility of the legislative institution. He urged Akpabio to refrain from exploiting ethnic and political sentiments, instead focusing on ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
“The need for an open, transparent, and honest investigation remains paramount to prevent the Senate from being perceived as an institution that condones sexual harassment, gender bias, victimization, and abuse of power,” Saraki’s statement added.
He further stressed that conducting such an investigation would enhance public and international confidence in Nigeria’s legislative processes. “People like Dr. Saraki have made significant sacrifices to defend the integrity of the legislative institution and will continue to speak up for what is right,” the statement concluded.
