“This petition is based on our loss of confidence in the Senator due to misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and deceitful behavior that has embarrassed the people of Kogi Central and tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our democracy”
Details: INEC Holds Crucial Meeting on the Recall Process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leadership held an important meeting yesterday regarding the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied reports suggesting that she apologized to the Senate leadership concerning the controversy that led to her suspension. She continues to stand by her claims of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Meanwhile, constituents of Akpoti-Uduaghan demonstrated at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding her immediate recall. She is currently serving a six-month suspension due to the allegations against Akpabio.
A court had issued an interim injunction last Thursday, restraining INEC, its staff, agents, or assigns from receiving or acting on any petition containing signatures from members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
However, a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, overturned this ruling last Friday, allowing INEC to proceed with the recall process initiated by constituents against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and part of the civic rights of the constituents, encouraging them to exercise their rights peacefully and orderly.
INEC’s Acting Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, confirmed via a short message that the Commission was meeting to discuss the recall process concerning the Kogi senator, per THISDAY newspaper.
Some constituents presented a petition dated March 21, stating they had lost confidence in her ability to represent them. The petition reads:
“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. This petition is submitted pursuant to Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.
“Please note that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged as our Senator following a verdict from the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, affirming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as the winner of the February 25, 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial election.
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator due to gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior that has embarrassed the people of Kogi Central constituency and tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.
“With this petition, which has been signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
The leader of the group, Omole Charity, expressed that they are the ones who voted for her and have now decided to recall her. Read More
