Natasha: Saraki Reacts To Akpabio’s ‘Veiled’ Verbal Attack, Reemphasizes Need To Keep Respect For Senate ‘Intact’, Says Ethnic Colouration ‘Unnecessary’

Former Senate President, Dr.  Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Sunday reacted to the veiled verbal attack made by the Senate President, Barrister Godswill Akpabio submitting that all he had done was to ensure that the respect for the senate is kept ‘intact’ while condemning introduction of ethnic colourations to the issue by the former Akwa Ibom state governor.

.

 Recall that Barrister Godswill Akpabio had claimed that some notable ‘individuals’ wanted him removed from his position sequel to the sexual harassment allegations made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

While addressing a delegation of youth leaders from various ethnic nationalities at the Senate Guest House in Maitama, Abuja on Friday night, Akpabio alleged that certain individuals from Adamawa and Kwara States were looking forward to seeing him getting removed as Senate President.

He added that they had done this despite being aware of the Senate rules regarding unethical conduct emphasizing that, as the 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.

 Many had leapt to conclusions that the verbal attack he made was directed at Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who hail from Kwara State and Adamawa State respectively.

The former senate president has however described Akpabio’s statements as ‘cheap politics and trivialisation of a serious issue’.

Head of Saraki’s media office,  Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement he issued in Abuja which was made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Sunday noted that the former Senate President’s 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 the Senate President has insinuated.

‘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.

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 recognize that perception is reality. He should avoid handling the allegations in a way that creates the impression  that the Senate is covering up issues concerning sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office’ he said.

Dr Abubaka Bukola Saraki also condemned the idea of introducing ethnic colourations to the issue.

 ‘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.

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.

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’ he added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you