As reactions continue to trail allegation of sexual harassment against the President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi on Sunday declared that “it’s a pattern of reckless claims and unsubstantiated allegations, warning against manipulating the institution for personal or political gain.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to carefully see through attempts to destabilize the Senate through falsehoods.

This was even as the former Senate President of the 8th National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki called for probe of the allegations so as not to tinker with the integrity and sanctity of the Senate.

In Saraki’s statement which was obtained on Saturday by CAPITAL POST in Abuja, he neither exonerated nor indicted Godswill Akpabio or Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, but said, probe would reveal the truth and put paid to the controversy, recalling that he was accused by a Senator during his Senatre presidency of importing vehicles without paying for custom duties which he submitted himself to probe and was cleared.

The Ex-Senate President called for transparency in handling allegations against the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Senator Nwebonyi argued that Saraki’s case—centered on an administrative issue concerning an official vehicle and was vastly different from the current allegations against Akpabio, which he insisted are unsubstantiated and timed to avoid disciplinary proceedings.

Nwebonyi lampooned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for making allegations of sexual harassment after she was summoned for disciplinary action, reasoning why no prior complaints were made within the Senate or to female colleagues.

“If we take Saraki’s argument to its logical conclusion, we would be establishing a dangerous precedent—where any habitual liar can throw out an unsubstantiated allegation and expect the Senate to grind to a halt,” Nwebonyi stated.

The Senate Deputy Chief Whip pointed to what he described as a pattern of reckless allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan against prominent figures such as Reno Omokri, Dino Melaye, and Yahaya Bello, arguing that these claims have consistently lacked evidence.

He argued that Senator Natasha was once appointed as Senate Committee Chairman on Local content and if such thing happened, why did she accept the Chairmanship at the time until she has to cry out after she was redeployed to another Committee.

Nwebonyi outlined three key points in handling the controversy, saying that Akpoti-Uduaghan should first answer to the Senate Ethics Committee for her misconduct.

“If she has a legitimate harassment claim, she should take it to the appropriate legal forum

“The Senate must resist being drawn into what he described as a “distraction campaign” designed to avoid accountability.

“The Senate is moved by reason and laws, not sentiments and drama,” Nwebonyi stated, adding that protecting the institution means ensuring it is not hijacked by what he termed “opportunistic falsehoods.”

He called on the Senate and Nigerians to remain focused and not allow blackmail to dictate the institution’s agenda.

Former President of the 8th Senate, Dr Olubukola Saraki has expressed sadness over the ongoing controversy bordering on sexual harassment as claimed by Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Saraki said the allegation was an ill-wind that will not blow anybody any good, insisting that the institution of the National Assembly must be protected at all costs.

The former Governor of Kwara State expressed that he was personally sad watching the controversy from afar, noting if steps were not taken swiftly, the controversy could have negative effect on the institution.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Saturday, Saraki urged Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to submit themselves to investigation to save the integrity of the National Assembly.

He said: “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.

“I believe that every person who has had anything to do with the National Assembly, particularly as a leader, member, and worker should always jealously protect these values which make the institution, the numero uno, among the three arms of government.

“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.

“The constitution, laws of the country, rules of the Senate as well as parliamentary conventions and practices should be adhered to in resolving the issue. And the resolution should be done transparently without being seen to be protective of any of the parties. Rather, the objectives should be to unfold the truth and to protect the law-making institution against a wrong perception of involvement in or tolerance of lawbreaking.

“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. 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.”

He recalled that submitting himself for investigation during his time when a Senator alleged that he imported without Customs clearance, adding that it should be a precedent to the President of the 10th Senate.

“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.

“In my case, the decision to allow an open investigation and subjecting myself to it was not an easy one. It was humbling but I realized that was the best decision and in the end I am happy I travelled that route.

“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. 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.

Saraki averred that he was not indicting or exonerating anyone, but wanted to relay his experience and assert that investigation would put paid to the controversy once and for all.

“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.

“For me, the institution of the Senate is so important, sacred, and pre-eminent. All lovers of democracy should always work to strengthen it. No leader or member should be allowed to openly or surreptitiously work to subvert its sanctity.”

In the aftermath of leaked official memo recently in the Edo State Government House, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the State has advised Governor Monday Okpebholo to redeploy suspected loyalists of the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki out of Government House.

Leaders of APC speaking through the Spokesman for the Edo APC Momodu Adams, said in the aftermath of the leakage of official sensitive documents and information in the care of some staff, the governor should no longer afford to work with certain persons.

Momodu Adams in a statement made available to journalists warned Governor Okpebholo of dangers of working close with those workers who prove injurious to his administration.

He argued that the majority of the civil servants in the current administration, particularly those in Government House are still tied to Obaseki’s apron.

He said, “APC leaders are worried about the development because some persons are leaking official documents in their possession to PDP leaders, especially Ogie and Asue Ighodalo, who are trying to upturn the victory of Governor Okpebholo at the Tribunal.

“If something urgent is not done, who knows what will happen next?

“About 98 per cent of the staff who worked in Government House during Obaseki’s administration, including the protocol officers and those who serve tea, are still in Okpebholo’s administration. We are worried. People hide or sit on files meant for the Governor.

“We understand that media houses and journalists in Edo State are losing patience with Governor Okpebholo’s administration. When the media starts its war with the new administration, it will mess up everything.”