Southsouth monarch faults Saraki's call on Akpabio to stand down
Bukola Saraki
A leading traditional ruler in the Southsouth has criticized Senator Bukola Saraki for asking Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down for an investigation into allegation of sexual harassment level against him.
“I disappointed by the comments of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who has taken a hardline stance against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the unproven allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by Saraki’s ally, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV said.
King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV who is the traditional ruler of Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom spoe yesterday through a statement.
Dakolo said Saraki’s stance appeared malicious because the former Senate president was once a victim of a criminal allegation by some suspected robbers. He noted that he did not stand down pending investigation in spite of calls for him to do so.
He said: “Nigerians would recall that in June of 2018, some armed robbers were arrested after they had robbed a series of banks in Offa, Kwara State. Upon interrogation, they named the then Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as one of their sponsors.
“This prompted the Nigerian Police Force to invite him to answer allegations indicting him by confessions of five gang leaders arrested for active participation in the Offa bank robbery and killings of 33 innocent persons.
“Dr. Saraki denied that allegation, but the suspects maintained their stand. Yet, Dr. Saraki did not resign because of the allegation.
“Those robbers were eventually convicted. But despite that, he served his term as Senate president until he lost a reelection bid in Kwara State.
“So, why is the sauce for Saraki now not for Akpabio?”
The monarch said the Southsouth had given so much to Nigeria over the years, adding that he hoped that Nigeria and Nigerians would provide justice and respect for the region that had shown total commitment to the country by treating its son with the respect he deserved.
