Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has firmly rejected mounting calls from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and concerned individuals demanding his resignation over recent allegations.
These calls follow claims of sexual harassment made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alongside lingering accusations linking Akpabio to electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections.
In response, Akpabio described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, vowing not to surrender his position to what he called "falsehoods." He cited historical examples of prominent figures wrongly accused and even imprisoned, asserting that he would not be counted among victims of injustice.
Speaking during a Senate session, Akpabio thanked Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele for his words of encouragement, as Bamidele urged lawmakers to remain focused on their constitutional duties rather than distractions.
Akpabio also addressed recent comments by Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, who appeared to downplay the relevance of the Senate's planned national security summit. In a pointed response, the Senate President declared that Badaru must attend the summit in his official capacity and advised that any grievances from the Defence Ministry should be handled discreetly to preserve harmony between the executive and legislative branches.
The Minister had earlier suggested that Nigeria's Armed Forces were more advanced than insurgent threats, with the true challenge being the unpredictable tactics and local support for terrorists. He implied that while summits were useful, strategic reform remained more crucial.
In defense of the Senate’s position, Bamidele emphasized that the Red Chamber remained committed to meaningful reforms, including tax, electoral, and constitutional changes, while also warning that false narratives would not be tolerated.
The unfolding drama underscores growing tensions between key arms of government, even as national security and governance remain top of mind for Nigerians.
