Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected the calls for his resignation over sexual harassment allegations, asserting firmly that stepping down was never his intention. He made this statement during Thursday’s Senate plenary, in response to a vote of confidence introduced by Senate Majority Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.

Akpabio said, “Who told you I was going to step down due to false allegations? “If you watch the record in America, there are black people who went to prison for 25 years over false allegations. I’m not one of those people.” 

Representing Ekiti Central, Bamidele told the chamber that critics anticipating Akpabio's removal would be disappointed.

“By now, I’m sure you know, sir, that those who felt that by now, this Senate would have asked you to step down would have seen that we are focused on what we are doing.

“Whatever the level of allegation against any of us, we will always ask for evidence,” he stated.

The Senate President stressed that, without evidence, he would not succumb to public pressure. 

“They will step down for false allegations, and when it’s proven that the allegations are false, they say, ‘Oh, we were unfair to Akpabio.’ So, if you have that in mind, please cancel it,” he added.

The controversy centres around Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended female lawmaker who recently posted a sarcastic apology on Facebook, claiming she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”

Akpabio is seeking a court order to have the post deleted. The Senate continues to support Akpabio, emphasizing that any accusation must be substantiated with evidence before any action is taken.