Akpabio’s Aide Denies Marabout Claims Over Wife’s Senate Chamber Visit
An aide to Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed reports that his wife, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, visited the Senate Chamber with marabouts or spiritualists, describing the claims as misinformation.
Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organizations, said Mrs Akpabio’s visit to the National Assembly Complex on Saturday was strictly administrative.
According to Tafida, the visit was undertaken at the instance of the Senate President following complaints from senators and National Assembly staff about faulty equipment and poorly executed contractual works within the chamber.
He explained that those who accompanied Mrs Akpabio were professionals, not spiritualists, and included electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians, as well as building maintenance specialists.
Tafida also rejected claims that the visit constituted an unauthorised entry into the Senate Chamber, saying it was carried out with the knowledge and approval of relevant officials.
He said Saturday was deliberately chosen because the Senate was not in session, allowing the technical team to inspect the facilities without disrupting legislative activities.
The aide urged Nigerians to disregard descriptions of the visit as an “unholy access”, insisting that the reports were intended to create unnecessary controversy.
He further maintained that the National Assembly has established security and administrative procedures and expressed confidence in the officials responsible for enforcing them.
The clarification followed reports alleging that Mrs Akpabio entered the Senate Chamber with individuals described as marabouts and spiritualists, sparking public questions about the purpose of the visit.
