Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected growing demands for his resignation over allegations of sexual harassment, stating that he would not step aside based on what he called “false and politically motivated” claims.
Speaking during Thursday’s plenary after the Senate passed key tax reform bills, Akpabio responded to calls from civil society organisations and political stakeholders, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who have demanded that he vacate his position pending investigation into the allegations brought forward by suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpabio, however, maintained that he would not be pressured into resigning, particularly in the absence of concrete evidence.
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“I’m not one of those people who, as you say, will step down for false allegations,” he said. “Then, when eventually it is proven that the allegations were false, they will say, ‘Oh, we were unfair to Akpabio.’ I’m not that bad. So, if you had that in mind, please cancel it.”
He likened the pressure on him to historical racial injustices in the United States, drawing attention to the plight of African Americans wrongfully convicted due to systemic bias.
“Who told you I was going to step down?” he asked rhetorically. “You know, if you watch the current revelations in America, you realise that there are some black people, because of their skins, who went to prison, sometimes 27 years, some 25 years for false allegations.”
Akpabio insisted that he would not allow himself to be a casualty of political gamesmanship, noting that any accusations should be handled through proper legal and institutional channels.
“I will not allow myself to be used as an example of injustice. If anyone has evidence, let them come forward. Otherwise, this is nothing but a distraction,” he added.
His response came after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele spoke on the floor, urging senators to remain steadfast and resist being swayed by politically charged narratives.
“We will remain undistracted and not adopt any form of negative attitude or deliberate shenanigans, which is most politically motivated rather than being an overriding public instructor,” Bamidele said
“We will continue to do what we have to do in the interest of the Nigerian people who elected us here. And we are not going to allow anything—not even us distracting ourselves.”
Read also: Let us rise up, meet expectations of Nigerians, Akpabio tells lawmakers
He also affirmed the Senate’s commitment to due process and institutional integrity.
“We will come in here as serious people who understand our rules, who will guide ourselves by those rules, who know that we are privileged to be here. The Senate is an institution and is bigger than any individual,” Bamidele added.
Directly addressing Akpabio, he said, “I’m sure you know, sir, that those who felt that by now this Senate would have asked you to step down, have seen now that we are focused on what we are doing.
“And at whatever the level of allegation against any one of us, we will always ask for evidence and we will do what is in the overriding public interest.
” I just want to thank you, and I thank all our colleagues.”
