Saraki Replies Akpabio, Insists on Due Process in Senate Investigation into Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment Allegation

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In a strongly worded statement released by his media office, former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki called on the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to prioritize the integrity and transparency of the Senate amidst allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Saraki criticized Akpabio for politicizing and trivializing the issue by framing it as an attack on the Niger Delta region.

Saraki’s response comes in the wake of remarks made by Akpabio during a meeting with youth leaders, where he suggested that individuals from Kwara and Adamawa States were attempting to remove him from office due to his regional affiliation. Saraki, however, refuted such claims, emphasizing that his position was devoid of political, ethnic, or regional bias.

In the statement, signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of Saraki’s media office, Saraki said, “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 the Senate President to be conscious of the fact that perception is reality and therefore he should avoid treating the allegations by the Senator in a manner that will create the perception that the Senate as an institution is trying to cover up issues bothering on sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.”

The former Senate President highlighted the need for a thorough, unbiased, and transparent investigation into the allegations raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to preserve the credibility and image of the legislative institution. “This issue is definitely not one in which Akpabio should exploit ethnic sentiments, political division, or regional proclivity. This will neither be in his own interest or that of the institution over which he is presiding. He should face the reality on ground and do what is right,” Saraki stated.

Saraki emphasized that the matter at hand goes beyond political affiliations, regional identities, or the individuals involved. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the integrity of the legislature, saying, “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 former Senate President also underscored the broader societal implications of the allegations. He argued that issues such as sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office resonate deeply within society, particularly for women who face such challenges daily. According to Saraki, the Senate has an opportunity to address these issues with utmost transparency, ensuring justice and bolstering public confidence in the institution.

Saraki concluded by reiterating his call for an open and transparent investigation, noting that this approach would not only protect the Senate’s reputation but also uphold the principles of justice and fairness that underpin a functional democracy.

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