Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have launched a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, expressing dissatisfaction with her representation.
The exercise, which commenced in Okehi Local Government Area, witnessed a significant number of voters queuing up to register their support for the recall. According to one of the participants, Nura Ibrahim, the move transcends party affiliations and is driven by concerns over issues such as poverty, infrastructure, and education.
“The decision to initiate this process was not taken lightly. Several attempts were made to engage Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on pressing issues, but our efforts were met with indifference and arrogance,” he stated.
The recall exercise is scheduled to span two days across polling units in the five local governments of Kogi Central, during which constituents will sign a petition calling for her removal.
However, reports indicate that some residents were allegedly misled into signing the petition. A town crier had reportedly invited people under the pretense of an empowerment program, only for them to be asked to submit their voter card details in exchange for money.
Meanwhile, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Longpet, has denied any knowledge of the recall process.
“I have not received any official communication regarding a recall exercise in the state. The only information I have seen is from unverified sources on social media,” Longpet stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate following allegations of misconduct during a confrontation with the Senate President. She later accused the Senate President of sexual harassment, a claim that further fueled political tensions.
According to electoral guidelines, for a recall process to be valid, a petition must be submitted to the electoral commission’s chairman by representatives of the petitioners. The lawmaker in question must also be notified in writing, with a copy sent to the presiding officer of the legislature.
Additionally, the electoral body must verify that the petition is signed by more than half of the registered voters in the senator’s constituency. The list of signatories will then be compiled into an official register of petitioners for the recall process. Verification is expected to take place at polling units within the affected constituency.
As the situation unfolds, the recall process remains a subject of debate, with concerns over transparency and the legitimacy of the exercise.
