Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called for an open and impartial investigation into the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi State.
He stressed that protecting the integrity of the Senate as an institution should take precedence over personal interests or political alignments.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Saraki expressed deep concern over the impact the controversy could have on the public’s perception of the National Assembly.
According to him, every lawmaker and stakeholder has a duty to uphold the credibility and sanctity of the Senate, warning that any action that undermines its reputation could erode public trust in the legislative arm of government.
“I have watched from afar the recent development in the Senate between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is a development that has made me sad because of its overall negative effect on the integrity, sanctity, image, and public perception of the institution,” he stated.
However, Saraki urged both parties and their supporters, within and outside the Senate, to exercise caution in their remarks and conduct, emphasizing that resolving the issue should not be about taking sides but about ensuring that the Senate remains a respected and credible institution.
He maintained that the matter should be handled in line with the Constitution, the Senate’s standing rules, and established parliamentary traditions.
“It is for these reasons that I believe that the two parties in this dispute and their supporters in and out of the chamber should be mindful of the impact of their actions, inactions, reactions, claims, and counter-claims to be sure that nothing is done to rubbish the institution”, Saraki stated.
Also, the former Kwara State Governor, recommended that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions be allowed to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation. He insisted that both Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan should willingly submit themselves to the committee’s scrutiny, as this would demonstrate respect for the institution they serve.
“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,” Saraki submitted.
Recalling his experience during the 8th Senate, Saraki revealed how he faced allegations during his tenure as the leader of the House.
According to him, he was accused of importing an official vehicle without paying the necessary customs duties, a claim he said was false. Rather than dismissing the allegations outright, he voluntarily appeared before the Ethics Committee and presented his case before the media.
“The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee, and I appeared before them in the full glare of the media. From my testimony, it was clear that the senator who made the allegation got his facts wrong and was only being mischievous. On the day the committee submitted its report for debate, I stepped down and allowed my deputy to preside. The transparent manner in which the investigation and the debate were handled assured everybody that there was no case,” he recounted.
He argued that the same level of transparency should be applied to the current situation, stressing that the Senate must not be seen as an institution that tolerates misconduct, gender bias, abuse of office, or disregard for due process. He warned that failure to properly address the controversy could give the impression that the legislative chamber condones such behavior.
“We should not allow the Senate to be cast in the shroud of an institution encouraging sexual harassment, gender bias, abuse of office, flagrant disregard for standing orders and rules, and lack of orderliness. This is what a transparent, open, and unbiased investigation should achieve,” he added.
Saraki clarified that he was not taking sides in the matter but simply advocating for due process and a fair resolution. He reiterated that the truth must come to light, and if any wrongdoing is established, appropriate actions should be taken to address it.
“Let me make it clear without any ambiguity that I am neither stating that Akpabio is guilty of anything nor am I expressing the opinion that Senator Akpoti Uduaghan is right in her actions and claims. My position is that an investigation is needed to find out the truth and protect the integrity of the Senate”, he declared.
For Saraki who is also the Waziri of Ilorin, the Senate is a pillar of democracy that must be protected at all costs. “No leader or member should be allowed to openly or surreptitiously work to subvert its sanctity,” he declared further.
