The Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been called to resign by supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who have taken to the streets of Abuja.
Beginning early on Wednesday morning, a sizable contingent of demonstrators assembled outside the doorway of the National Assembly to demand justice and a stop to what they characterized as political harassment.
Arriving to the National Assembly Complex as early as 8 a.m., just before the Senate is scheduled to resume plenary, the demonstrators carried placards with bold messages. The complex’s security guards, however, refused them entry, so they were unable to carry out their protest inside. The gathering was reportedly forced to go to the Unity Fountain, a well-liked location for public demonstrations in Abuja, after security personnel pointed tear gas canisters at them.
Kogi Central representative Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio are embroiled in a contentious political battle at the time of the demonstration. The dispute started on February 20 over Senate chamber seating arrangements, and it swiftly got out of hand. After the fight, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions called Akpoti-Uduaghan in for disciplinary action.
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But the Senate is not allowed to punish her in any way, according to an Abuja Federal High Court ruling.
During a National TV appearance, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said that Akpabio was pursuing her since she had turned down his purported sexual advances. She accused the Senate President of trying to damage her character and filed a defamation action against him for ₦100 billion.
