Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed concern over the ongoing dispute between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement issued via his official X page on Saturday, Saraki urged those directly and indirectly involved in the ongoing faceoff to prioritise the protection of the Senate as an institution and not individuals.
He said, “I have watched from afar the recent developments in the Senate involving the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“This situation saddens me because of its negative impact on the integrity, sanctity, image, and public perception of the institution. I believe that everyone who has been associated with the National Assembly—whether as a leader, member, or staff—should strive to protect these values, which make the institution the foremost among the three arms of government.
“For these reasons, I believe that both parties in this dispute, as well as their supporters inside and outside the chamber, should be mindful of the impact of their actions, inactions, reactions, claims, and counterclaims.
“They must ensure that nothing is done to tarnish the institution. The constitution, the country’s laws, Senate rules, and parliamentary conventions and practices should be strictly followed in resolving this matter.”
Saraki also called for an open, transparent, and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to determine the veracity of the allegations raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio.
He emphasised that only an open and honest investigation would prevent the parliament from being perceived as an institution that condones sexual harassment, gender bias, abuse of office, disregard for standing orders and rules, and general disorderliness.
He said, “The constitution, the country’s laws, Senate rules, and parliamentary conventions and practices should be strictly followed in resolving this matter. The resolution should be conducted transparently, without any bias toward either party. The goal should be to uncover the truth and uphold the integrity of the legislative body, ensuring it is not wrongly perceived as tolerating or participating in any form of lawbreaking. This is what a transparent, open, and unbiased investigation should achieve.
“At this point, with the public claims made by the Senator, the right measure to take is to institute an open, transparent, and honest investigation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. Both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it. ”
