Photo caption: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, arrived at the Senate Chamber on Wednesday alongside her husband as plenary resumed following a one-week recess.
In a brief yet affectionate moment, her husband gave her a kiss before she proceeded into the chamber to take her seat.
Her newly assigned seat has been at the center of a heated controversy, sparking tensions within the Senate. The dispute escalated after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation he has strongly denied.
The claims have ignited fresh concerns over decorum and conduct within the legislative body.
As proceedings resumed, all eyes were on the Kogi senator as she took her seat, signaling her determination to carry on with her legislative duties despite the ongoing controversy.
Meanwhile, outside the National Assembly, supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan staged a protest, demanding justice as the Senate Ethics Committee prepared to investigate her alleged refusal to comply with Senate rules. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, is set to probe the matter.
Tensions escalated as security forces fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, but they remained undeterred, regrouping despite the heavy presence of security personnel. The demonstrators accused Senate President Akpabio of attempting to silence and malign women, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
