Lokoja, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don receive formal petition wey dey seek to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from im position for the Nigeria Senate. This petition, wey Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony accept on Monday, March 24, 2025, come as constituents from Kogi Central District don gather over 200,000 signatures to show their support. Dem claim say de signatures meet the constitutional requirements wey dey guide the recall process under the Nigeria Constitution of 1990 as amended.
Dem no just dey recall Akpoti-Uduaghan just for anything; na after plenty wahala wey involve alleged ‘gross misconduct’ wey lead to im suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025. The senator clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as she accuse am of sexual harassment. True say the community dey want a representative wey go fit connect with dem better.
According to Oriaran-Anthony, INEC go follow every due process wey dey required as dem begin to process the petition. One of the representatives from Kogi Central, Comrade Salihu Habeeb, gree say dem dey ready for this recall process. He talk say, “We don come together as one voice. We want beta representation.” E also criticise Akpoti-Uduaghan for no dey respond to the people’s need, adding say this go be the first successful recall process for Kogi.
Another voice, Comrade Hamza Yakubu, insist say this matter na serious one. E say dem no dey follow emotions, but na the needs of the people wey drive the recall. “We wan make INEC act sharp on the petition wey we submit. The process wey we begin go work,” he add.
Charity Jesse, a representative of Kogi Youths and Women, join them, say na the misconduct wey Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly engage in, plus im inability to represent dem well, make dem start this recall. On March 22, 2025, court wey dey sit for Lokoja lift one restraining order wey stop INEC from accepting the petition, dey confirm say the recall process valid under the law.
The court talk say the people go fit dey exercise dem rights peacefully as dem participate for the recall. Before dis ruling, INEC no fit accept any petition based on the earlier injunction until d current development open door for dem to continue.
Dis petition follow allegations say some political persons dey target Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position, with fake signatures wey dem use to undermine her. But now, the Kogi people don clearly state say dem wan credible representation. De next steps go involve INEC verifying de signatures and possibly conducting a referendum to finalize the recall process.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan still never make any public statement regarding dis recall petition. E be so, as dis consideration come after she face six months suspension from the Senate. Na time go tell if her tenure go see an end or if dem go allow her continue.
