Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, recently visited the Senate Chamber, prompting a response from the Senate President’s office regarding the ensuing controversy.
Reports suggested that Mrs. Akpabio gained “unholy access” to the chamber, allegedly accompanied by marabouts and spiritualists. This visit, which occurred on a Saturday, raised questions about its purpose and intent.
In response, Dr. Jibril Lawal Tafida, the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organizations, labeled these claims as “misinformation.”
Tafida clarified in a statement on Saturday that Mrs. Akpabio’s visit was strictly administrative.
He explained that she came to the National Assembly Complex on a Saturday to personally inspect and evaluate malfunctioning equipment and facilities within the chamber.
This initiative, Tafida noted, was prompted by the Senate President’s receipt of numerous complaints from senators and staff regarding the poor condition of certain facilities and the inadequate execution of contracts.
He firmly denied allegations that Mrs. Akpabio was accompanied by individuals referred to as “marabouts” or those of dubious reputation.
Instead, he characterized the accompanying individuals as “qualified professionals and technical experts, including electrical engineers, ICT specialists, and audio-visual system technicians, as well as builders.”