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Sexual Harassment: I Will Never Step Down As Senate President – Akpabio Declares
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, vowed never to succumb to pressure from people asking him to step down following allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He stated this at plenary after the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, announced that despite criticisms from some quarters, the 10th Senate would not succumb to blackmail by supporting calls for the resignation of the Senate President based on frivolous allegations.
“For the fact that you said those who would have asked me to step down, who told you I was going to step down?
“You know, if you watch the colour of America, there are black people because of their skins who went to prison, in some 25 years for false allegations.
“So, I’m not one of those people who step down over false allegations. Then when eventually it is proven that the allegation was false, they will say, oh, well, it was a mistake.
“I’m not that bad. So, if you had that in mind, please cancel it. I won’t step them. So, having said that, I must thank you for the words that you have spoken today.”
Speaking on the issue of the security summit which the Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, condemned during a ministerial press briefing on Wednesday, Akpabio said the minister might soon be summoned by the Senate.
Badaru had on the occasion, downplayed the importance of the proposed security summit by the Senate, stressing that renewal of strategy was far more critical in combating insecurity.
Akpabio noted that the Senate Leader did not indict the Defence Minister but reported him.
“I think the Senate will look into that issue. If the Defence Minister has any issue with any resolution of the Senate, he shouldn’t do so in the market. He should get in touch with the Senate President or the Senate Elders.
“Senator Abdul Ningi, I think I’m speaking your mind. It should get in touch with us, not to go and speak in the open. And it will amount to Executive Legislative Brouhaha. So, we will pick that up at the appropriate time.”
Earlier, the Senate Leader said he was elected into office to be criticised but that such criticism should not be based on false allegations.
Bamidele said, “I was elected into office to be criticised. We are not opposed to that. But when people falsify things about us, when people deliberately try to call us out, I don’t know what to do.
“We are focused as to what we are going to spend the rest of our time here doing. We are concerned about the national security of our country. And that’s why listening to the Honourable Minister of Defence on Wednesday, describing as unnecessary our resolution to hold a national security summit, I thought that was funny.
“My only message to the Honourable Minister is that it is a resolved national security summit. Some of the security summits in the past did not go any far. Because if the Honorable Minister in charge would even think it was not necessary for us as elected representatives to want to hold this summit, then I’m concerned.
“We are concerned by the fact that we know that there is a new sheriff in town and an elected president, who understands the need to work with the parliament and who will not take for granted the rest of the parliament.
“I, therefore, say to the Honorable Minister, when it is time to hold a national security summit, you should be eager to honour our invitation.”
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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