“I Won’t Step Down Over False Allegations,” Akpabio Declares as Senate Pushes Forward with Landmark Legislation
In a fiery response to mounting pressure, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has vowed to remain in office, dismissing calls for his resignation as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking on Thursday, Akpabio addressed comments by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who urged lawmakers to stay focused on their legislative duties despite external distractions. Akpabio’s defiance comes amid allegations of sexual harassment by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and claims of electoral malpractice in the 2019 elections, which he categorically denies.
“I’m not one of those people who will step down over false allegations,” Akpabio asserted, drawing parallels to wrongful convictions in the United States. “When it is proven that the allegation is false, they will say, ‘Oh well… I’m not that bad.’ So if you had that in mind, please cancel it.”
Senate’s Legislative Wins: Tax Reform Bills Passed
The Senate, under Akpabio’s leadership, has made significant strides in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda. On December 4, 2024, the Senate passed four critical tax reform bills aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax system and boosting revenue generation. These include:
Nigeria Tax Bill 2024: Establishes a comprehensive framework for tax administration.
Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024: Introduces measures to enhance compliance and efficiency.
Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024: Creates a unified body to oversee revenue collection.
Tax Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Addresses additional reforms to support economic growth.
Senate Leader Bamidele emphasized the Senate’s commitment to public interest, noting that these bills, alongside ongoing electoral and constitutional reforms, demonstrate the legislature’s resolve to deliver transformative governance. “People should not mistake our focus for being a rubber-stamp parliament,” Bamidele said. “We have worked in the overriding public interest and are willing to do more.”
Clash with Minister of Defence Over Security Summit
Akpabio also addressed tensions with the Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru, who publicly dismissed the Senate’s planned national security summit as unnecessary. During a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Badaru argued that Nigeria’s Armed Forces are better equipped than insurgents, attributing security challenges to unpredictable terrorist strategies and insider informants. “Strategy is far more important than a summit,” Badaru stated, though he acknowledged the potential for summits to inform strategic planning.
Akpabio rebuked the minister’s remarks, insisting that Badaru must attend the summit in his official capacity. “If defence has any issue with a Senate resolution, it shouldn’t do so in the market,” Akpabio said. “It should get in touch with the Senate President or Senate Leaders, not speak in the open. This will only lead to an executive-legislative brouhaha.”
Bamidele echoed Akpabio’s sentiments, urging the minister to “be eager to honour our invitation” when the summit is held, emphasizing the Senate’s focus on addressing Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
Akpabio’s Defiance Amid Controversy
Akpabio’s refusal to resign follows intense scrutiny over allegations leveled by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Senate, as well as claims of electoral misconduct in 2019. Despite these challenges, Akpabio remains steadfast, framing the accusations as attempts to derail the Senate’s progress. “The Senate is an institution and is bigger than any individual,” Bamidele declared, reinforcing the legislature’s resilience in the face of criticism.
As the Senate continues to navigate complex legislative and political terrain, Akpabio’s leadership will be closely watched. With the successful passage of tax reform bills and a firm stance on national security, the Senate is positioning itself as a pivotal player in Nigeria’s quest for economic and social stability.
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