Hundreds of protesters stormed the National Assembly on Monday, demanding stricter sanctions for the suspended Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central).
The protesters, who gathered at the Mopol gate of the National Assembly under the banner of Women for Good Governance, criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly collaborating with individuals intent on discrediting the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and undermining the legislature as an institution.
Recall that the Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months last Thursday following a rowdy session during which she protested against Akpabio’s reassignment of her seat. The Senate also resolved that if she writes to apologize during the suspension period, she could be recalled to resume her legislative duties. Additionally, she was banned from the premises of the National Assembly, her office was ordered to be locked up for the duration of her suspension, and her salaries and allowances were suspended.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), had recommended that the salaries of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legislative aides also be stopped. However, former Chief Whip Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), moved to amend the recommendation, arguing that the aides should continue to receive their salaries since they had committed no offense. The amendment was carried, and it was further resolved that all her security personnel be removed.
During yesterday’s protest, demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “Senator Natasha is a serial blackmailer,” “Senate Committee on Local Content is a privilege, not a birthright,” and “Nigerian women stand with Senator Akpabio.” They expressed strong disapproval of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions and called for stricter consequences.
The Secretary of *United Women for Good Governance*, Enakeme Ojineme, who led the protest, alleged that the sexual harassment accusations against Akpabio were politically motivated and that Akpoti-Uduaghan was actively involved in efforts to undermine the Senate. Ojineme described such actions as “treasonable” and condemned attempts to destabilize the Senate through “unconventional, unlawful, and demonic means.”
Ojineme declared, “This false allegation has a strong political undertone, heavily orchestrated in collaboration with Sen. Natasha by those desperate to seize control of the Senate leadership. We send a strong warning to these conspirators—what they are doing is an attempt to stab democracy with a fire dagger, and all well-meaning Nigerians must resist this.”
She urged the Senate to impose severe consequences if Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to mobilize protests, stating, “We encourage Nigerian senators and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to remain steadfast and ensure that Senator Natasha faces serious repercussions if she persists in inciting street beggars, jobless youths, and women against the Senate.”
