King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, has rejected calls for Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio to step down following sexual harassment allegations made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The allegation, which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan made public in an interview with ARISE News Channel on March 1, 2025, has triggered mixed reactions from the Nigerian public. While some have called for Akpabio’s resignation pending an investigation, others have defended his integrity. Among the defenders is King Dakolo, who has now publicly voiced his full support for the Senate President, insisting that he deserves a fair hearing.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in her televised interview, accused Akpabio of victimising her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances. According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate President’s alleged actions were a form of retaliation, as she had reportedly refused his advances during their time in the Senate.
In his statement, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV highlighted that it was inappropriate to call for Akpabio’s resignation based solely on an unproven allegation. He firmly stated, “We reject calls on him to resign based on a mere allegation. The Senate President deserves a fair hearing, and the matter must be investigated properly before any decisions are made.”
Highlighting the importance of a fair process, the royal father added, “I have confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio. He is a son of the South-South who has lived a life that has projected a commendable legacy thus far. His contributions to Nigeria’s political stability in recent years have been significant.”
Dakolo’s statement also reiterated that the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan should be thoroughly examined through an official inquiry. He called for a Senate Inquiry to look into the matter, stating, “When an accusation of the type that Senator Natasha Akpoti has made against the Senate President is made, the best course of action would be to institute a Senate Inquiry into the matter, which will examine the veracity of the claims and the past of the claimant and the accused.”
Additionally, King Dakolo questioned the timing of the allegations, noting that it coincided with ongoing disciplinary actions being taken against Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate. He expressed his suspicion about the allegation’s authenticity, saying, “The allegation is suspicious. It is extremely suspicious.”
The controversy surrounding the allegations took another turn when Senate spokesman, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, dismissed the matter as a “storm in a teacup.” Speaking in a national television interview, Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South, noted that there was no formal petition submitted to the Senate Ethics Committee regarding the allegations.
He explained, “The Senate does not conduct its affairs based on what is trending on social media. There must be a formal petition or a matter raised before the Senate before any investigation can take place.” This statement further underlined the Senate’s position that allegations aired on television should not be treated as official matters requiring investigation unless they are formally presented.
Senator Adaramodu also commented on the controversy over the reallocation of Senate seats, which Akpoti-Uduaghan has reportedly raised concerns about. The spokesman cited the Senate’s Standing Orders, particularly Order 6, which grants the Senate President the power to assign seats to senators. He clarified that all senators are expected to sit in their designated seats, and breaching this order undermines the proper functioning of the chamber.
He further denied suggestions that Senator Akpabio could intimidate colleagues by denying them recognition. “If a senator follows due process in raising a point of order, no Senate President would deny him or her recognition,” Adaramodu asserted, emphasising the equality of all senators in the chamber.
The Senate’s stance on the allegations also extended to former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s call for an open probe into the matter. Adaramodu aligned with other Senate members who rejected this proposal, stressing that there is currently no formal petition before the Senate regarding the allegations.
