By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
Senate President’s aide says no marabouts or spiritualists were involved, describes visit as routine technical inspection
The recent visit of Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to the Senate Chamber has triggered controversy, following reports alleging that she accessed the facility on a Saturday with persons described as marabouts and spiritualists.
The reports, which quickly generated public interest, raised questions about the purpose of the visit and why it took place outside regular legislative proceedings.
But the Office of the Senate President has rejected the allegations, describing them as misinformation and insisting that the visit was strictly administrative.
Dr. Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organizations, said Mrs Akpabio visited the National Assembly Complex to inspect malfunctioning equipment and assess the condition of facilities within the Senate Chamber.
According to Tafida, the inspection was undertaken at the instance of the Senate President following several complaints from senators and staff about malfunctioning facilities and concerns over the execution of some contractual works.
He particularly dismissed reports that Mrs Akpabio was accompanied by marabouts or spiritualists, saying the individuals who accompanied her were professionals whose expertise was required for the inspection.
Tafida identified them as electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians, as well as building maintenance specialists engaged to assess the technical condition of the facilities.
He further stated that the visit was conducted with the knowledge and authorization of relevant officials of the National Assembly, insisting that there was no breach of security protocols.
Explaining the choice of Saturday, the presidential aide said the inspection was deliberately scheduled for a period when the Senate was not in session, allowing technical and maintenance work to be assessed without disrupting legislative proceedings.
Tafida urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, describing them as an attempt to manufacture controversy around what he said was a legitimate administrative exercise.
He maintained that the National Assembly remains a highly secured institution and expressed confidence in its established protocols and personnel.
The clarification has now shifted attention from the initial allegations to the explanation offered by the Senate President’s office, as questions surrounding the unusual weekend visit continue to generate public discussion.
