Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has dismissed claims by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that he is part of a plot to remove him from office. Saraki clarified that his previous statement urging Akpabio to ensure a fair and open investigation into the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was misinterpreted as a call for his resignation.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki emphasized that nowhere in his press release of March 1, 2025, did he suggest that Akpabio should step down. Instead, he advised the Senate President to handle the matter with transparency to prevent any perception that the Senate was covering up allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.
Addressing youth ethnic groups on Friday, Akpabio had claimed that individuals from Kwara and Adamawa States wanted him removed because he is from the Niger Delta. Saraki condemned this statement, saying it was an attempt to politicize and trivialize a serious issue that affects the integrity and credibility of the legislative institution.
“Dr. Saraki in his last comment on the Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan crisis never called on the Senate President to resign or step aside,” the statement read.
“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.”
Saraki further stressed that his intervention was not about supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan or validating her claims, but rather about protecting the Senate’s image. He pointed out that constitutional and legislative procedures exist to handle such allegations fairly and transparently.
“It is disingenuous and crude to describe Dr. Saraki’s comment along those primordial lines,” the statement added. “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 nor that of the institution over which he is presiding.”
Saraki reiterated that allegations involving sexual harassment and gender discrimination should be handled with sincerity and openness. He warned that failing to do so would create doubts about the Senate’s commitment to justice and fairness.
“By having such an investigation, the general public and the international community will have more confidence in our legislative institution,” the statement concluded.
The controversy began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment after rejecting a new seating arrangement assigned to her by the Senate leadership. While Akpabio denied the allegations, the Senate suspended Natasha for six months, barring her from receiving her salary and staff benefits.
Her suspension, which followed an official petition she submitted regarding the alleged harassment, has drawn widespread criticism, with many calling for an independent investigation to ensure justice is served.
