Abuja – A protest erupted at the National Assembly on Wednesday as demonstrators called for the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of sexual harassment made by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The protesters, numbering in the hundreds, gathered at the main entrance of the National Assembly complex, near Eagle Square and the Federal Secretariat. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Enough is Enough,” the demonstrators, predominantly women and young people, voiced their demand for Akpabio’s removal. Accompanied by a music truck, they chanted and danced to local Ebira music.
Security presence was notably heavy, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army stationed at the scene. At least 15 security vehicles were strategically placed around the protest venue. As tensions escalated, security operatives fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd, causing protesters to flee the scene.
The protest follows allegations by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Akpabio of inappropriate behavior. In an interview with Arise News, she recounted an alleged incident that took place in December, a day before their shared birthday. According to her, while visiting Akpabio’s residence in Uyo, he made suggestive remarks and created an uncomfortable environment. She further claimed that her husband later warned her against visiting the Senate President alone.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also alleged that Akpabio obstructed her motion for an investigation into corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, delaying its approval multiple times.
In response, Akpabio’s media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He suggested that the senator was disgruntled over her removal as chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content. Additionally, Akpabio’s wife, Ekaette Akpabio, defended her husband, threatening legal action against Akpoti-Uduaghan and describing the claims as a “figment of wild imagination.”
While calls for Akpabio’s resignation dominated the scene, a separate group staged a counter-protest in support of the Senate President. The pro-Akpabio demonstrators demanded an apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that her claims were baseless. However, a video shared by lawyer and media personality Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie revealed that some supporters admitted they were unaware of the details of the allegations but were merely present to support Akpabio.
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“I am supporting him because I did not see any wrong in what they are saying. Though I don’t know much about the details, my mind led me to support him,” one woman said in the video.
Amid the controversy, Akpoti-Uduaghan officially petitioned the Senate over the allegations. The Senate has since referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for review.
This development follows a previous dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio over her seating arrangement in the Senate chamber, further fueling speculation of tension between the two lawmakers.
As the allegations and counterclaims unfold, the Nigerian political landscape watches closely, awaiting the Senate’s next course of action in handling the matter.
