Nigeria Police Clash with Natasha Akpoti’s Supporters Ahead of Senate Hearing

Police fired tear gas at supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they gathered at the National Assembly gate, protesting her disciplinary hearing. The Kogi Central senator, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of misconduct, faces a Senate ethics panel after a seating dispute escalated into a major political controversy.

Police officers fired tear gas at supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who gathered at the National Assembly gate on Wednesday morning. The protesters arrived around 8 a.m., demanding justice for the Kogi Central senator ahead of her scheduled appearance before the Senate’s disciplinary committee later in the day.

The police swiftly intervened, dispersing the crowd with tear gas and forcing them to relocate to the Unity Fountain. The protest stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which began over a seating dispute on February 20. Following the altercation, she was referred to the Senate ethics committee and later accused Akpabio of targeting her for rejecting his alleged advances.

Amid the controversy, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio. Her supporters argue that she is being unfairly persecuted, escalating tensions around the case. The senator is expected to appear before the committee at 2 p.m. as the standoff between her and the Senate leadership continues.