NewStats: 3,264,415 , 8,183,658 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 12:33 AM 4b86e

•Constituents storm commission, as over 250,000 voters sign petition for immediate recall

•Embattled senator denies apologising to senate leadership, stands by claims of sexual harassment

The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, held a crucial meeting over the recall process of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This was as Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied purported reports suggesting that she has apologised to the Senate leadership over the controversy that led to her suspension, standing on her claims of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio.

However, Natasha’s constituents, yesterday, stormed the INEC headquarters in Abuja, where they demanded her immediate recall.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is presently serving six months suspension over the sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio.

A court of law had last Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

But, a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, last Friday, set aside an earlier ruling that restrained INEC from receiving the recall process initiated by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District against Natasha

The court, in its judgement, affirmed that the recall process was constitutionally valid and aligned with the civic rights of the constituents, urging the constituents to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.

Nevertheless, the electoral body met yesterday to deliberate on the recall demand of the Kogi-born senator.

“The Commission is meeting on the Kogi recall process now (yesterday),” the short message from the INEC Acting Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, read.

Some of her constituents had stormed the INEC headquarters with a petition dated March 21, and submitted to the commission, stating that they had lost confidence in her ability to represent them.

“We, the undersigned being duly ed 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 Akpot-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.

“In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpot-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), as well as INEC S Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions

“Kindly recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged as our Senator by verdict of the Court of Appeal, Abuja on Tuesday October 31, 2023 which affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as winner of the February 25, 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial election.

“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi: Central constituency but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions

“By this petition, which we have made sure it’s signed by more than one-half of the ed 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 Akpot-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”

“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi: Central constituency but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions

“By this petition, which we have made sure it’s signed by more than one-half of the ed 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 Akpot-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”

Leader of the group, Omole Charity, said they were the ones that voted her in and now they have decided to recall her.

But Akpoti-Uduaghan, has denied purported reports suggesting that she has apologised to the Senate over the controversy that led to her suspension.

In a statement on Monday, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” reaffirming her stance on the issue that resulted in her six-month suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “The purported reports circulating that I have apologised to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions, and I have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals are peddling falsehoods in an attempt to distort the truth and mislead the public.”

While accusing unnamed individuals of attempting to manipulate public perception through fabricated statements, Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the public to disregard the rumours and publications, saying they did not represent her position.

She maintained that her commitment remained to truth, justice, and the people she represented.

“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated.

“The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held able.

“As a senator, I have a duty to represent my constituents and uphold the principles of justice and transparency.

“My allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were not made lightly, and I will continue to seek justice and ability, no matter the cost.

“My six-month suspension is a clear case of political victimisation, but I will not be deterred. I will continue to fight for the rights of Nigerian women and ensure that our voices are heard.

“I urge the public to ignore the viral report claiming that I apologised to the Senate, as it is entirely false. I will continue to stand by my truth and fight for what is right, even in the face of adversity,” she vowed.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/03/25/inec-holds-crucial-meeting-on-recall-process-of-sen-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan/

Futile efforts

If she has 2 years left, why not wait for her reelection and deny her at the ballot.

The recalling can't work

WAR ROOM .

Natasha would have gained public sympathy if only she remained professional and stuck with the “they are victimizing her because she is a woman”

Instead,she attempted to use sexual harassment as a tool against her opponent!! Imagine if these accusations were against an ordinary man,you would be jailed and forgotten forever…

This is a fight for survival and vindication.

Let the due process follow

helinues:
Futile efforts

If she has 2 years left, why not wait for her reelection and deny her at the ballot.

The recalling can't work

Shebi she wants reforms.
They will use her to test our electoral laws.

When they recall her, she will spend the remaining years of her tenure granting interviews and going from court to court.

auntie low waist is coming home

😂. Just know it that in Nigeria, when the government wants to get things done, It gets done. Just look at how swift the government suspended her, organised recall process and today Inec is already meeting because of the matter. My bet is by tomorrow INEC will approve it and they will move over to the next stage. The goal is to yank her off the senate.

@gbanski “Leaving the Senate would help her career in social media. She will generate a lot of likes and comments thereby making money. In addition she would be free from harassment”.

When you look at the above comment and read the 1st one, you will understand Nigerians’ problem. The youths clearly acknowledge the fact that the government has the power to do whatever it wants to do, but doesn’t have the power to provide electricity, piped water, quality health care, or even food for its population.

Them just want Bleep dis Aunty up

Watching.

The people that are now dead that voted for her I hope APC, Akpabio and Tinubu will resurrect them.

The worst thing that happened Nigerians is APC

RecentHistory:


Shebi she wants reforms.
They will use her to test our electoral laws.

If those who want to recall her are ready to donate funds to INEC to conduct a new election in her constituency, then they can go ahead with the recalling because the Nigeria government don't have any money to waste on bye election

She's Gone

Na seat cause all dis nonsense oh... If not we won't hear all dis talks...we Don use 1 month now discuss natasha

Lol till date no single evidence of any sexual harassment on the Internet...


At least we can always mock Ganduge with his Dollar Video give us something to mock Akpabio not cho Cho..

They had to forge signatures to recall her? That's petty

Noted.

Do it snappy

helinues:


If those who want to recall her are ready to donate funds to INEC to conduct a new election in her constituency, then they can go ahead with the recalling because the Nigeria government don't have any money to waste on bye election

Where do you think INEC gets funds for bye-elections when NASS die?

INEC has lawyers on retainer. They have retainer contracts with printers, stationers etc. They have plans for these things.

INEC will do it, fully funded. Just dey watch.

Very crucial

It's very hard to fight the powerful in Nigeria....
They owes d judiciary n d rest

These are all distraction tactics by the ruling party . These dramas will become the trending stories,while bad governance keep getting worse

wisely

Obviously, the forces are beyond her at this moment

RecentHistory:


Where do you think INEC gets funds for bye-elections when NASS die?

You said nass die, Natasha don die?

helinues:

You said nass die, Natasha don die?

She's politically dead

Na final burial her constituents dey do so. You no see as them plenty?

Good for democracy. Those that point one finger at someone, forgets the remaining four fingers point to your throat.

Beremx:
They had to forge signatures to recall her? That's petty

Go to Okene and confirm for yourself.

When they kick her out, you can go defend her in court.

RecentHistory:


She's politically dead

Na final burial her constituents dey do so. You no see as them plenty?

They should piled those things up and use it against her should she try to recontest

INEC is a fraud

So they don't understanding the recall process or no department for that?

RecentHistory:


Shebi she wants reforms.
They will use her to test our electoral laws.

When they recall her, she will spend the remaining years of her tenure granting interviews and going from court to court.

But a precedent has been set even if a senator is sexually molested she should keep quiet or she will be recalled