In a recent statement, former Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has refuted claims made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding alleged attempts by certain individuals to remove him from office amidst a sexual harassment scandal involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Saraki characterized Akpabio’s assertions as “cheap politics” and a “trivialization of a serious issue.”
This response came after Akpabio addressed youth leaders from various ethnic groups at the Senate Guest House in Abuja, suggesting that some individuals from Adamawa and Kwara States were eagerly anticipating his resignation. Though he did not specify names, political analysts speculated that the remarks were directed at Saraki and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, both of whom hail from the regions mentioned.
In his press release, Saraki clarified that his call for transparency in investigating the allegations against Akpabio was not intended to incite his resignation but to ensure accountability within the Senate. He urged Akpabio to consider the implications of his earlier statements and to avoid creating an impression of a cover-up regarding serious allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.
“Ordinarily, I would have ignored the statement as a sign of the times in which we now live. However, the underlying motive of politicizing and trivializing a serious issue that threatens the integrity, credibility, and importance of the legislature is why we must not allow the Senate President to create a misleading impression of the issue at stake,” Saraki stated.
He further criticized Akpabio for leveraging ethnic and political sentiments, asserting that such tactics would not benefit him or the legislative institution. Saraki emphasized the importance of addressing sensitive matters like sexual harassment with transparency and integrity, reiterating that his comments were not influenced by political affiliations or regional biases.
Saraki concluded by reaffirming the need for openness in handling such cases within legislative bodies, declaring, “People like me, who have made sacrifices to defend the integrity of the legislature, will not stop speaking up for the right thing to be done.”
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor the developments surrounding this issue and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
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