Aide Dismisses Accusation of Akpabio’s Wife Visit of Senate Chamber with Spiritualists, Marabouts

The Office of the Senate President has dismissed reports alleging that Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, visited the Senate Chamber with spiritualists and marabouts.

The controversy followed reports describing her Saturday visit to the National Assembly Chamber as an “unholy access”.

The reports also raised questions about the purpose of the visit and the presence of individuals allegedly described as marabouts and spiritualists.

However, Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-governmental Organisations, described the reports as “misinformation”.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Tafida said Mrs Akpabio’s visit was strictly administrative.

He said she visited the National Assembly Complex to inspect and assess faulty equipment and other malfunctioning facilities within the Senate Chamber.

According to him, the inspection was carried out at the instance of the Senate President.

Tafida said Akpabio had received several complaints from senators and staff about the poor condition of some facilities and the alleged poor execution of certain contractual works.

He strongly denied claims that Mrs Akpabio was accompanied by marabouts or spiritualists.

Instead, he said the individuals who accompanied her were duly engaged professionals and technical specialists.

They included electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians, as well as building maintenance experts whose services were required for the inspection.

Tafida added that the visit was conducted with the knowledge and authorisation of relevant officials.

He said there was no breach of security protocols during the inspection.

Explaining why the visit took place on a Saturday, the aide said such inspections are better conducted when the chamber is not in session.

This, he noted, ensured that legislative activities were not disrupted.

Tafida urged the public to disregard the reports, describing them as an attempt to create controversy where none existed.

He also expressed confidence in the security protocols and personnel of the National Assembly, describing the institution as one of Africa’s most secure and well-managed democratic institutions.