A fresh controversy is rocking Nigeria’s National Assembly following reports that the sealed office of Distinguished Senator Natasha H. Akpoti was secretly unsealed in the early hours of Tuesday, September 23.
According to credible accounts, at about 2:37 a.m. an “uncommon” directive was allegedly issued, instructing the Clerk of the National Assembly to unseal Senator Akpoti’s office. The Clerk reportedly communicated this action directly to the senator’s Chief of Staff.
By morning, the situation escalated when the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze, allegedly performed the duties of the Clerk by signing a notice to postpone the day’s plenary session. Observers say the postponement appeared designed to shield Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio from presiding while Senator Akpoti was present, rather than allowing Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin to chair proceedings.
Sources close to the senator stated that screenshots of the midnight directive have been forwarded to Vice President Kashim Shettima and will also be sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for action. Critics argue that if unchecked, the Senate President’s family could wield undue influence over parliamentary procedures.
“This is unprecedented in Nigeria’s legislative history,” a senior legislative aide said. “It portrays the National Assembly as a private kitchen and family playground rather than an independent arm of government.”
Supporters have hailed Senator Akpoti for her resilience in the face of alleged intimidation and her refusal to apologize for previously raising concerns about harassment.
As of press time, the Senate President’s office and the Clerk of the National Assembly have not issued official statements addressing the allegations or explaining the procedural irregularities surrounding the midnight unsealing and the postponement of plenary.
The unfolding incident has fueled debate over internal checks and balances within Nigeria’s legislature and raised broader questions about the independence of the National Assembly’s administrative processes.
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