Mrs Akpabio’s Visit To Senate Chamber Stirs Controversy
Mrs Akpabio’s Visit To Senate Chamber Stirs Controversy
…She Went On Inspection, Says Aide
Controversy has erupted over the visit of the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, to the Senate chamber on Saturday.
The unusual visit of Godswill Akpabio’s wife has drawn curiosity from staff members of the National Assembly who could not fathom her presence in the Senate chamber.
Explaining the woman’s presence at the Senate chamber, an aide to Senate President, Dr. Jibril Tafida, said Mrs. Akpabio’s visit to the National Assembly complex was purely administrative and undertaken at the instance of her husband.
Tafida, in a reaction, dismissed reports that described the woman’s presence at the chamber as “unholy access” to the facility when the Senate had been on recess.
According to Tafida, who is Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organisations, Mrs. Akpabio had visited the complex “to inspect malfunctioning equipment and facilities in the Senate chamber following complaints from senators and staff about the poor condition of some facilities and the quality of contractual works executed there.”
The aide also dismissed speculations that Mrs. Akpabio was accompanied by “marabouts” or some “unusual individuals”.
Rather, he explained that the individuals at the facility were professionals and technical specialists, including electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians and building maintenance experts, who were involved in the inspection.
“The visit was conducted within the knowledge and authorisation of relevant officials,” Tafida said, insisting that there was no breach of security protocols.
He explained that the inspection was deliberately conducted on a Saturday when the Senate was not in session, to avoid interfering with legislative activities.
The likely inference from Dr. Tafida’s explanations was that Mrs. Akpabio could be handling some equipment maintenance contracts for the Nigerian Senate.
The aide described Mrs. Akpabio as a woman of integrity with a record of philanthropic activities, urging the media and the public to refrain from speculations that could distract attention from the Senate’s legislative responsibilities.
Tafida stated that the Senate President remained focused on good governance and would not be distracted by what he described as unfounded attacks.
He further expressed confidence in the security arrangements and personnel of the National Assembly, describing the complex as one of the most secure and well-managed democratic institutions in Africa.
