Bukola Saraki, former senate president, has called for a transparent investigation into allegations at the heart of the clash between Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

The fray between Akpabio, the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, started over a recent seat re-arrangement in the red chamber.

 

Akpoti-Uduaghan fought fiercely against her new seat position following the re-arrangement, alleging that the move was an attempt to silence her.

 

The clash reached a crescendo on Friday after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

 

“Mine is the case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him,” she said.

 

The allegation spurred reactions from notable Nigerians, including a lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife.

Others have called for an investigation into the claims made by the Kogi senator.

Adding his voice to the debate, Saraki, in a post on social media, said the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions must probe the allegation tabled by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

 

He added that “both parties must submit to the investigation, fully cooperate with the committee, and stake their claims before it”.

 

‘This is not the first time a Senate President would appear before the Committee to aid it in the conduct of a transparent and open investigation,” the post reads.

 

“I remember during the 8th Senate when a Senator claimed that I imported an official car for my use as Senate President and that customs duty was not paid on the vehicle. Since I knew the claim was false, the matter was referred to the Ethics Committee and I appeared before the committee to testify, in the full glare of the media.

 

“From my testimony, it was clear the Senator who made the allegation got his facts wrong and was only being mischievous.

“Also, on the day the committee submitted its report for debate on the floor, I stepped down and allowed my deputy to preside. The transparent manner in which the investigation and the debate on the report were handled assured everybody that there was no case. This is a precedent that the leadership of the 10th Senate should follow.”

 

“The due process should be followed in this case, such that where anybody is found to have committed any wrong, the wrong should be pointed out and corrected. Also, the right remedy should be made.”