Akpabio reacts to calls for him to resign in the face of Natasha’s allegations

Akpabio reacts to calls for him to resign in the face of Natasha’s allegations

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly rejected growing calls from Civil Society Organizations and others urging him to resign, insisting he will not bow to pressure over what he described as “false and baseless allegations.”

Akpabio has come under scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and a separate claim tying him to electoral misconduct in 2019.

Despite these claims, Akpabio made it clear during Thursday’s Senate plenary that he has no plans to step aside.

Responding to remarks by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who called on lawmakers to stay focused, Akpabio declared:

“I will not step down over false allegations. History shows how people, even in developed countries, have suffered injustice and wrongful accusations. I won’t be counted among those who fall silently to such injustice.”

He added pointedly, “If anyone expected me to step down, they should cancel that thought.”

Akpabio also addressed a brewing dispute with the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, following the latter’s reported dismissal of the Senate’s upcoming national security summit as unnecessary.

The summit, proposed by the Senate, aims to evaluate Nigeria’s security framework and strengthen its response to persistent threats.

Taking issue with Badaru’s public remarks, Akpabio warned against disrespecting the Senate’s processes:

“If the Defence Ministry disagrees with a Senate resolution, the proper channel is direct communication—not public statements. Undermining legislative initiatives in public risks triggering executive-legislative conflict.”

His comments followed Senate Leader Bamidele’s criticism of the Defence Minister’s posture. Bamidele had emphasized that the summit was a serious initiative tied to national security and should not be trivialized.

“When the time comes, the Minister of Defence should honor the Senate’s invitation to participate. We expect full cooperation,” Bamidele said.

During a ministerial briefing on Wednesday, Badaru acknowledged the usefulness of summits but argued that strategy—not summits—was key to overcoming terrorism. He noted that Nigeria’s armed forces were now better equipped, but insurgents continued to exploit local informants and unconventional tactics.

Still, Bamidele defended the Senate’s record, citing ongoing legislative work on tax reform, constitutional amendments, and electoral integrity. He cautioned that the Senate would not tolerate unfounded allegations or political distractions:

“We are not a rubber-stamp parliament. Our focus remains national interest and security. The Senate is an institution greater than any individual.”

The Senate, he reiterated, would stay the course, guided by its mandate and committed to addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.