Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly amid protests by her supporters demanding Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s resignation.
The Pro-Natasha protesters confronted by a counter-protest by pro-Akpabio demonstrators.
The senator representing Kogi Central had recently accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her during a visit to his residence in December 2023. She also disclosed during an interview on Arise TV, that again when she inquired why about five attempts at raising a motion on Ajaokuta Steel failed, Akpabio told her to make him happy to make progress in the Senate.
She had also previously clashed with the Senate President over her seating arrangement, alleging that she was deliberately kept where she would hardly seen.
As Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the protest scene near the Mopol gate, her supporters erupted in cheers, waving placards with messages such as “Akpabio must go” and “We stand with Senator Natasha.” The protesters, including members of civil society groups, insisted on a thorough investigation into her allegations.
Meanwhile, a rival group of pro-Akpabio demonstrators staged a counter-protest, holding banners with inscriptions like “We say no to Natasha’s serial blackmailing” and “Akpabio treated Natasha as a daughter and friend.”
Earlier, security personnel, some not in uniform, had dispersed the initial wave of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters with tear gas at the National Assembly Arcade, opposite Eagle Square.
The protesters, who had begun gathering around 9 a.m., were forced to retreat but later regrouped at a nearby location to continue their demonstration.
Pro-Akabio protesters:
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