Tensions flared outside the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday morning as police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters. The demonstrators, believed to be supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, gathered to protest alleged sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The protest started as early as 8 a.m., with the protesters assembling outside the National Assembly gates before the start of the day’s plenary session. The group, holding placards demanding justice for Akpoti-Uduaghan, was quickly confronted by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force. The authorities fired multiple rounds of teargas canisters, forcing the protesters to scatter.
Despite the disruption, the protesters regrouped and moved to the Unity Fountain in central Abuja, where they continued their demonstration.
The protests are linked to a growing controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative for Kogi Central, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The dispute between the two has been ongoing for several weeks and is centered around a seating arrangement issue within the Senate. The incident occurred on February 20 and led to Akpoti-Uduaghan being referred to the Senate’s disciplinary panel for alleged misconduct.
In a dramatic development, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a defamation lawsuit against Senate President Akpabio, seeking a staggering N100 billion in damages. The lawsuit followed accusations by Akpoti-Uduaghan that Akpabio had made unwelcome sexual advances towards her and had retaliated with harsh treatment after she refused his advances.
Last Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan took to the public stage, accusing Akpabio of both punishing and maligning her in retaliation for rejecting his alleged sexual advances. The allegations have sparked significant public outcry, and many Nigerians are rallying behind Akpoti-Uduaghan in the ongoing dispute.
Placards held by the protesters read messages like: “Senator Akpabio, stop the intimidation and harassment of Dist. Sen. Natasha,” and “A Senate In Shackles: Breaking Free From Sen. Akpabio’s Grip On Our Democracy. Enough of Sen. Akpabio.”
An eyewitness from the Kogi protest stated that, unlike in Abuja, the demonstration in Kogi Central has not been interrupted by the police. This suggests that authorities in Kogi have not taken the same aggressive approach to disperse the protest as seen in Abuja.
The protests are gaining traction as many Nigerians demand accountability for the alleged actions of Senate President Akpabio. The public’s reaction to the controversy has highlighted growing concerns over abuse of power and gender-based harassment within Nigeria’s political sphere.
In recent years, Nigeria has seen an increased focus on gender equality and the protection of women in positions of power. The allegations against Akpabio have sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of female lawmakers and the prevalence of sexual harassment in politics.
While some Nigerians have criticized the protests, calling them politically motivated or exaggerated, others believe that the allegations need to be thoroughly investigated. The protesters argue that it is crucial to send a strong message that sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated in the country’s political system.
The ongoing legal battles between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio have become a significant talking point, with politicians, human rights groups, and everyday Nigerians all weighing in on the matter. Calls for justice have come from various sectors, including women’s rights organizations, who have voiced their support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging authorities to take the allegations seriously.
The national outrage over the situation reflects a wider concern about the abuse of power in Nigeria’s political institutions. Many believe that this case is not just about one senator’s accusations but about the need for accountability and transparency in the country’s government.
The protests, which have now spread beyond Abuja to Kogi State, show that the issue is far from being resolved. The public’s continued demonstrations and the legal proceedings surrounding the case will likely shape the future of both Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio, as well as the larger political environment in Nigeria.
