A civil society group accuses suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of hiring thugs to storm the National Assembly.
It urges police intervention, alleging disruption, intimidation and security breaches at the legislative complex.
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A Nigerian civil society organization has accused suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of mobilizing hired thugs to invade the National Assembly shortly after her office was reopened.
National Integrity Watch claimed that a video circulating online shows the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, removing a red seal from the senator’s office door on Tuesday morning. The group alleges that, later the same day, Akpoti-Uduaghan arranged for groups of men to enter the legislative complex unlawfully.
According to its National Convener, Dr. John Samuel, the senator “brought in outsiders to disrupt proceedings” after the seal was lifted. He further alleged that she sneaked in mobile toiletries and other supplies to bypass existing security rules.
In its strongly worded statement, the organization alleged that the men, reportedly transported from Delta and Borno states, were directed to damage property and intimidate National Assembly employees as part of a wider effort to gain access to the office despite her suspension still being challenged in court.
Samuel warned that the National Assembly “cannot be held hostage by any one individual” and condemned what he called a “pattern of intimidation and disruptive behavior.”
The group urged the Nigeria Police Force to act immediately to safeguard lawmakers, staff and visitors. It stressed that public office is a privilege that must never be abused to undermine democratic institutions or threaten public order.
