Senate President’s Wife’s Visit To National Assembly
OpenLife News reports that the Office of the Senate President has responded to controversy over a recent visit by Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to the Senate Chamber.
Reports had alleged that Mrs. Akpabio gained “unholy access” to the chamber on a Saturday, accompanied by marabouts and spiritualists. The claim sparked questions about the motive behind the visit.
It Was An Administrative Inspection” — Senate President’s Office
In a statement on Saturday, Dr. Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and NGOs, dismissed the reports as “misinformation.”
According to Tafida, the visit was purely administrative and was carried out at the instance of the Senate President, who had received complaints from senators and staff about malfunctioning equipment and poor contract execution in the chamber.
“Mrs. Akpabio visited the National Assembly Complex to personally observe and assess malfunctioning equipment and facilities within the chamber,” Tafida said.
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They Are Technical Specialists, Not Marabouts
Tafida refuted claims that Mrs. Akpabio was with “marabouts” or people of questionable character.
“The individuals that accompanied the Senate President’s wife were duly engaged professionals and technical specialists, including electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual system technicians, and building maintenance experts whose expertise was required for the inspection,” he stated.
He added that the visit had the knowledge and authorization of relevant officials, and no security protocols were breached.
Why Saturday?
On the timing, Tafida explained that administrative inspections are best done when the chamber is not in session to avoid disrupting legislative activities.
He urged the public to disregard the reports, describing them as an attempt to “manufacture controversy where none exists.”
“Nigeria’s National Assembly remains one of the most secure and well-managed democratic institutions in Africa,” he said, expressing confidence in its protocols and personnel.
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