Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and members of civil society organizations staged a protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.
The protesters arrived at the National Assembly gate as early as 8:00 a.m., ahead of the day’s plenary session. Holding banners with inscriptions such as “Akpabio Must Go” and “Protect Women’s Rights”, they demanded accountability and urged the Senate to launch a probe into the allegations.
The protest follows accusations by Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged that Akpabio harassed her and retaliated after she rejected his advances. She made the claims during a live television interview, intensifying tensions within the Senate.
The controversy erupted after a seating arrangement change on February 20, 2025, which Akpoti-Uduaghan described as an act of retaliation.
A spokesperson for the protesting groups emphasized the need for an impartial investigation.
“We are here to demand justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensure accountability. No one is above the law,” the spokesperson said.
As of press time, neither Akpabio nor the Senate leadership had issued an official response to the demands.
The demonstration remained peaceful, with security operatives monitoring the situation.
