The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed calls for his resignation over sexual harassment allegations made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting he remains committed to his legislative duties.
Speaking during Thursday’s plenary session, which culminated in the passage of four critical tax reform bills, Akpabio said he would not be distracted by what he described as baseless accusations.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor, while commending the Senate for its focus and productivity, stressed that the upper chamber would not be derailed from its constitutional responsibilities.
Responding to concerns raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), Akpabio declared, “Who told you I was going to step down? Those who thought this Senate would ask me to resign have now seen that we remain focused on our duties.
“At whatever level allegations arise, we will demand evidence and act in the overriding public interest.”
Drawing parallels with judicial errors in the United States, Akpabio noted that some individuals have suffered wrongful imprisonment over false accusations.
“I am not one of those who step down for what is false.
And when it is eventually proven untrue, they simply say, ‘oh’, as if that makes up for it,” he said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 after a heated dispute with the Senate leadership, which she claimed was triggered by a controversial change in seating arrangement meant to undermine her.
The tension escalated when, during a national television appearance, she accused Akpabio of orchestrating her suspension in retaliation for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances.