Feyisayo Ogunbiyi
Tensions flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, made a dramatic entrance amidst protests and counter-protests by supporters and detractors of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The scene near the Mopol gate turned chaotic as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, joined by civil society groups, voiced demands for Akpabio’s resignation and a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recently accused Akpabio of misconduct during a visit to his residence late last year and later when she sought support for her Ajaokuta Steel motion.
The allegations, which have sparked controversy in political circles, intensified today as her supporters brandished placards bearing slogans such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “We Stand with Senator Natasha.”
In response, a group of pro-Akpabio demonstrators staged a counter-protest, arguing against what they termed as “serial blackmailing” by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Banners with messages asserting that Akpabio treated the senator with paternal care were prominently displayed, highlighting the stark divide in public opinion over the unfolding scandal.
Earlier in the day, security personnel, some in plain clothes, dispersed an initial gathering of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters near the National Assembly Arcade using tear gas.
The move temporarily disrupted the protest, but participants regrouped at an alternative location nearby to continue their demonstration.
The clash underscores deepening rifts within Nigeria’s political landscape, with accusations and counter-accusations fueling public outrage and debate.
As the 
standoff continues, stakeholders await further developments amidst calls for transparency and accountability in addressing allegations of misconduct among the nation’s political elite.
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