Senate President Godswill Akpabio has rejected calls for his resignation following sexual harassment allegations by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirming his dedication to his legislative responsibilities. Speaking during Thursday’s plenary—during which four key tax reform bills were passed—Akpabio dismissed the claims as unfounded and vowed not to be distracted. Commending the Senate’s focus and productivity, the former Akwa Ibom governor emphasized that the upper chamber remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional duties. Responding to concerns raised by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), Akpabio declared, “Who told you I was going to step down? Those who thought this Senate would ask me to resign have now seen that we remain focused on our duties. “At whatever level allegations arise, we will demand evidence and act in the overriding public interest.” Drawing parallels with judicial errors in the United States, Akpabio noted that some individuals have suffered wrongful imprisonment over false accusations. “I am not one of those who step down for what is false. “And when it turns out to be false, all they say is ‘oh,’ as though that somehow makes up for it,” Akpabio remarked. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 following a heated clash with the Senate leadership. She claimed the dispute was sparked by a contentious change to the seating arrangement, which she alleged was an attempt to marginalize her. The conflict intensified when Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a televised interview, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of engineering her suspension as retaliation for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances. She later took the matter to the international stage at the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Women in Parliament session held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where she urged global scrutiny of the Nigerian Senate’s actions. Akpoti-Uduaghan further decried what she described as excessive punitive measures—including the withdrawal of her security detail, suspension of her salary, and a six-month ban from legislative activities. In response, Akpabio has filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete a satirical apology video she posted on social media. In the video, shared on April 27, Akpoti-Uduaghan mockingly apologized to Akpabio, stating it was for “not allowing him to have his way” with her. The clip, widely seen as sarcastic, featured her saying she was “sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect,” suggesting that Akpabio presumed no woman could reject him. The video reignited tensions between the two lawmakers, whose dispute originated from the Senate chamber seating issue and escalated into allegations of sexual harassment. Facing further disciplinary measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit seeking to halt an investigation into her conduct by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen. Despite the pending legal challenge, the Senate proceeded with her suspension—a decision she claims was motivated by her allegations against Akpabio. On April 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako issued a restraining order barring both parties from making public statements while the matter is before the court. Nonetheless, Akpabio’s legal counsel, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), has submitted a fresh application asserting that the satirical video contravenes the court’s gag order. The motion requests that the court compel Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video and its related content from all her social media accounts.