Natasha: I Never Called For Your Resignation, Saraki Chides Akpabio

A former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has dismissed the subtle allegation by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that some notable “individuals” are seeking his removal from office following the sexual harassment scandal involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Saraki described the claims as “cheap politics and a trivialisation of a serious issue.”

Saraki clarified his position in a press release issued by the head of his media office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja.

The former Senate President was responding to Akpabio’s statement alleging that certain individuals from Adamawa and Kwara States were looking forward to his resignation.

Akpabio made the remarks on Friday night while addressing a delegation of youth leaders from various ethnic nationalities at the Senate Guest House in Maitama, Abuja.

In his address, Akpabio suggested that these individuals, despite being aware of the Senate rules regarding unethical conduct, were intentionally disregarding the real issues due to opposition politics.

He further emphasised that, as Senate President, he represents not just his constituency and party but an entire region that had not held the position for the past 46 years.

Although Akpabio did not name anyone, political observers speculated that he was referring to his predecessor, Saraki, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who hail from Kwara and Adamawa, respectively.

However, Saraki, in a statement on Sunday, argued that his call for transparency and an open process to investigate the allegations against Akpabio was not an attempt to remove a “Niger Delta person” from office, as Akpabio insinuated.

The former Senate President urged Akpabio to revisit his earlier press statement dated March 1, noting that he neither suggested nor called for his resignation.

Saraki stated: “Ordinarily, I would have ignored the statement as a sign of the times in which we now live. However, the underlying motive of politicising and trivialising 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.”

He further clarified: “In my last comment on the Akpabio-Akpoti-Uduaghan crisis, I never called on the Senate President to resign or step aside. Rather, I urged him to recognise that perception is reality. He should avoid handling the allegations in a way that creates the impression the Senate is covering up issues concerning sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.”

Saraki also criticised Akpabio for exploiting ethnic and political sentiments, saying such an approach would not serve his interests or the institution he leads.

“This issue is not one in which Akpabio should exploit ethnic sentiments, political division, or regional proclivity. This will neither benefit him nor the institution over which he presides. He should face the reality on the ground and do what is right,” Saraki added.

He reiterated that his suggestions were for the benefit of the legislative institution, stressing that his stance was not influenced by Akpabio’s political party or region of origin.

“When sensitive matters such as sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and mistreatment of women are raised, they evoke the pains that thousands of women experience daily. It is disingenuous and crude to describe my comments along those primordial lines,” Saraki explained.

He concluded by emphasising the need for transparency in handling such cases within legislative institutions.

“When such issues arise in a place like the legislature, it is an opportunity to address them with utmost openness and transparency, ensuring justice is not only done but seen to be done. 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,” Saraki affirmed.

Punch