Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters have taken to the streets of Abuja to call for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to resign.
A sizable contingent of demonstrators assembled at the National Assembly gate for the demonstration, which started early on Wednesday morning, demanding justice and an end to what they characterized as political intimidation.
Just as the Senate is about to resume session, the demonstrators, many of whom were carrying banners with bold statements, came at the National Assembly Complex as early as 8 a.m. But they were refused entry by the complex’s security guards, which prevented them from bringing their protest inside. According to reports, security personnel threw tear gas cannisters into the throng, prompting them to move to the Unity Fountain, a well-liked location for open demonstrations in Abuja.
Senate President Akpabio and Kogi Central representative Akpoti-Uduaghan are embroiled in a contentious political battle at the time of the demonstration. In the Senate chamber, the altercation started on February 20 over seating arrangements and swiftly got out of hand. Akpoti-Uduaghan was called before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary action after the confrontation.
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Nonetheless, the Senate has been barred from pursuing any disciplinary action against her by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Akpabio was accused by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on National TV of pursuing her because she had turned down his purported sexual advances. Additionally, she sued the Senate President for ₦100 billion in defamation, claiming that he was trying to damage her character.
