Police Fire Tear Gas at Pro-Natasha Akpoti Supporters at National Assembly Gate

Supporters of Kogi Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who gathered at the National Assembly Complex this morning, March 5, to protest in her support, were dispersed by the Nigeria Police Force.

The demonstrators arrived at the assembly gate around 8 a.m. but were met with tear gas as police officers intervened to prevent any disruption of public order.

Their gathering was timed ahead of the plenary session and the scheduled hearing by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

The protest followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent televised interview, in which she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of defaming her in the Senate after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances. The matter has since been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for review.