The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, has rejected calls for the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to resign following an allegation of sexual harassment made against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement on Sunday, King Dakolo dismissed the demands for Akpabio’s resignation, insisting that the Senate President deserved a fair hearing. He argued that no one should be forced to step down over an unproven allegation, adding that due process must be followed before making any conclusions.
“We reject calls on him to resign based on a mere allegation,” Dakolo said. “The Senate President deserves a fair hearing.”
The controversy began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in an interview with ARISE NEWS Channel on Friday, accused Akpabio of victimizing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances. The claim immediately sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some calling for his resignation pending an investigation.
However, King Dakolo has thrown his full support behind Akpabio, insisting that the South-South region stands firmly with him.
“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,” he stated. “Additionally, he has been pivotal to Nigeria’s political stability for the last two years.”
King Dakolo further called for an official inquiry into the matter to establish the truth behind the allegation.
“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,” he said. “This inquiry should examine the veracity of the claims and the past of both the claimant and the accused.”
The traditional ruler also questioned the timing of the allegation, pointing out that it came at a period when Senator Natasha was facing disciplinary action in the Senate. He suggested that the accusation might be an attempt to distract from her own troubles.
“The allegation is suspicious. It is extremely suspicious,” he said. “The South-South has given so much to Nigeria over the years. It is only right that Nigeria and Nigerians show respect and justice to a region that has shown total commitment to the country by treating its son with fairness.”
