Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and prominent former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, have publicly supported the electoral commission’s decision to reject a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday that the recall petition had failed to meet the constitutional requirement of signatures from more than half of the registered voters in the Senator’s constituency. INEC stated that its review found only 43.86% of the required signatures were valid.
The PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, praised INEC for “speaking the truth” and suggested the commission was “awakening from its many years of slumber.”
Similarly, Oby Ezekwesili took to social media to congratulate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that the “orchestrated fraudulent recall has failed.”
However, the petitioners behind the recall effort remain undeterred. They have vowed to mobilise more constituents and continue their campaign to remove the Senator, alleging that INEC had “cancelled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage.” Their leader, Salihu Habib, insisted that the 43.86% validation still showed significant discontent with the Senator.
The lawyer representing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the petitioners’ threats as a “mere distraction” and urged them to allow the Senator to focus on her legislative duties. He expressed satisfaction with INEC’s decision, suggesting the electoral body might have been under pressure.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan herself welcomed INEC’s rejection of what she called a “fake process” orchestrated by her political opponents, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently wanted by anti-corruption authorities. She accused her traducers of abusing public power to silence her.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called for an end to the alleged intimidation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and urged the National Assembly to address her claims of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which the rights group says have been “bizarrely trivialized, unaddressed and ignored.”
In a related development, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, for allegedly aligning with former Governor Bello to push for her recall. She also defended a recent gathering with her constituents at her private residence, asserting her right to communicate with them despite her current suspension from the Senate.
The Kogi Central People’s Alliance, a group that supports Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, hailed INEC’s verdict as a “triumph of the people and justice,” but called for an investigation into the petitioners’ claim of securing nearly 44% of the required signatures, alleging attempted electoral fraud.
Separately, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has distanced himself from a planned solidarity rally in his home state, warning his supporters to avoid it and suggesting it might be organised by individuals with ulterior motives.
This series of events underscores the intense political battles playing out in Kogi State and within Nigeria’s national political landscape. The failed recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been met with contrasting reactions, highlighting deep divisions and ongoing tensions.
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