Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has urged his successor, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to “face reality and do what is right” amid allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Saraki’s response follows Akpabio’s claim that some individuals from Adamawa and Kwara states are plotting his removal. While Akpabio did not name anyone specifically, both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (Adamawa) and Saraki (Kwara) had previously called for an open investigation into the allegations.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki criticized Akpabio’s remarks, describing them as an attempt to politicize and trivialize a serious issue.
Saraki emphasized that his intervention was not about partisan politics or ethnic sentiments but about preserving the integrity of the Senate. He reiterated his stance that an unbiased, transparent, and open investigation into the allegations against Akpabio is necessary to uphold public confidence in the legislature.
“This issue should not be exploited for political or ethnic division,” Saraki stated. “An honest investigation is needed to ensure that the Senate is not perceived as tolerating sexual harassment, gender bias, victimization, and abuse of office.”
He reaffirmed his call for the Senate leadership to handle the situation with transparency, stressing that defending the integrity of democratic institutions remains paramount.
