Fresh controversy has trailed the reported visit of Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to the Senate Chamber, with some Nigerians alleging that the visit may have been connected to spiritual activities aimed at securing her husband’s position amid emerging political permutations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The allegation, however, has been strongly dismissed by the Office of the Senate President, which said Mrs Akpabio’s visit was strictly administrative and had nothing to do with spiritual cleansing or any other unorthodox activity.
The controversy followed reports of Mrs Akpabio’s presence at the National Assembly complex on a Saturday when the Senate was not in plenary.
According to Dr Jibril Lawal Tafida, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Mrs Akpabio visited the complex at the instance of her husband to inspect malfunctioning facilities and equipment in the Senate Chamber.
Tafida said the visit followed complaints from senators and National Assembly staff about the condition of some facilities and concerns over the quality of work executed by contractors.
He also rejected claims that Mrs Akpabio was accompanied by marabouts, spiritualists or other persons of questionable character.
Rather, he said, those who accompanied her were professionals, including electrical engineers, ICT and audio-visual technicians and building maintenance experts, who were there to assess the reported faults.
However, Abuja Times reports that despite the explanation from the Senate President’s office, the visit has continued to generate conversations within and around the National Assembly complex.
When our correspondent visited the complex, groups of people were seen discussing the development, with some questioning why the wife of the Senate President was personally involved in an inspection of facilities inside the Red Chamber.
Some individuals speculated that the visit could have been connected to traditional or spiritual practices, particularly against the backdrop of political discussions over the future leadership of the Senate ahead of 2027.
One person who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Hmmmmm, let’s not talk too much, we are Africans. Her visit isn’t far from ritual cleansing to secure her husband’s seat ahead of the 2027 general election.”
Another questioned whether the wife of the Senate President enjoys any official privileges attached to her husband’s office.
“We know that Akpabio, as President of the Senate, has some privileges. Are these privileges also extended to his wife? That’s what everyone seems not to get in this whole incident,” the source said.
Others questioned whether the office of the Senate President’s wife has any constitutional recognition and whether she can officially undertake activities within the legislative chamber.
“My major concern is this: does the Constitution recognise the Senate President’s wife? Is there an official office for her?” another source asked.
The development has nevertheless continued to fuel speculation, particularly as political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections intensify.
For now, the allegation of spiritual cleansing remains an unsubstantiated claim, while the official explanation from the Senate President’s office is that Mrs Akpabio’s visit was an authorised inspection of faulty equipment and facilities.
