Police Use Tear Gas on Pro-Natasha Protesters at National Assembly

Security operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have forcefully dispersed supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as they attempted to gain access to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The protesters had gathered at the assembly gate early Wednesday morning, around 8:00 am, coinciding with the Senate plenary session and the scheduled hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

As tensions rose, police officers moved in to prevent a possible disturbance, deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd. The protesters, undeterred by the police action, later relocated to the Unity Fountain in Abuja to continue their demonstration.

The protest follows weeks of growing tensions in the Senate, which began on February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the reassignment of her seat in the chamber. The dispute led to her referral to the Senate Ethics Committee for disciplinary review. The committee had been scheduled to deliberate on the matter, which could have resulted in further action against the senator.

The situation escalated further last Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. She alleged that she was being targeted for rejecting his advances, a claim that has intensified scrutiny and sparked heated debates among political observers and the public. Akpabio has not yet formally responded to the allegation.

With the protest dispersed and tensions still high, the unfolding political battle between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership is expected to draw continued public and legal attention.