Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said he will not resign from his position despite call from some civil society organisations and other groups for him to step down.

Akpabio is facing allegations of sexual harassment and accusations linking him to electoral fraud during the 2019 general elections.

In March, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended after a clash with Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Senate.

She later accused him of sexual harassment, further intensifying the controversy.

Also linked to the allegations is the recent court ruling on April 30, where the Court of Appeal in Calabar upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban.

Ogban was found guilty of manipulating election results in favour of Akpabio when he contested for Senate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio dismissed the allegations as false.

Responding to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s call for focus, he said he would not allow himself to be a victim of injustice and pledged to continue his duties as Senate President.

“I will not have answered you, but for the fact that you said those who would have asked you to step down. Who told you I was going to step down?” Akpabio said.

“You know, if you watch the colour of America, there are Black people who went to prison for false allegations. Some were there for 25 years.

“So, I’m not one of those people who will step down over false allegations. When it is eventually 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. I must thank you for the words you spoke today.”

On Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called on lawmakers to recommit themselves to national service with integrity and patriotism, urging them to focus their legislative efforts on matters that strengthen national unity.

RN.