Kogi women demand recall of Senator Natasha as Central Senatorial District enforce recall process saying, “No one is sponsoring this recall”; Court stops INEC from processing recall petition

Ebira indigenes have condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was not endorsed by the majority of the electorate in the area.

The indigenes, from across the five local governments of Kogi Central, said they had resolved to bring the embattled Senator back home, adding that the embarrassment she had caused the senatorial district had, unfortunately, taken an “international dimension.”

This stand was taken in a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), Alh. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim and Prince Akerejola Johnson of Ogori/Magongo LGA, respectively.

The constituents told Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief by the camp of the Kogi Central Senator suggesting that people were deceived to come out for the recall exercise.

“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived. What she has done has been mainly propaganda. Even some of us that supported her on social media then are no longer with her. We cannot trade the integrity of the state and Nigeria for the selfish, juvenile tendencies of a Senator.

“A matter as simple as not taking an assigned seat in the Senate should not be one that would warrant a “sexual harassment” and a national embarrassment of this nature, especially where all evidences point to blackmail. This is not who we are as Ebiras,” the statement said.

On the issue of INEC disclaiming the exercise, the constituents said the response was misconstrued.

“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We are the ones that are doing the recall, the petitioners. We have to ensure that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. This is where INEC comes in,” the indigenes noted.

They urged the public to disregard any mischievous interpretation of the recall process, saying politicians would always release statements based on their leanings and selfish interests.

“For us as Ebira people, we are determined to bring Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan back home. While she is at home, she may learn the rudiments of representing her constituents better.

“Ordinarily, we would never have allowed anyone to intimidate our daughter if she was on her right. But in this particular instance, she disrespected the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has clear rules and went on to introduce slants that have never been heard of in the history of the Senate.

“We investigated and we know the truth. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should come home and learn the art of law making. It is not about content creation like many people have said,” the Kogi Central constituents said.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Kogi Central Women Development Association (KCWDA) backed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and recall from the National Assembly.

Speaking in Lokoja at a news conference, the association’s spokesperson, Mrs. Christy Omale commended the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing her gross misconduct and unruly behaviour.

Omale criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, particularly her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, saying it undermined the efforts of other female politicians in Kogi Central.

She condemned the Senator for failing to present solid evidence and instead took the matter to international media, thereby damaging Nigeria’s image globally.

According to Omale, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions cast the Nigerian Senate in a negative light and failed to reflect proper legislative decorum.

Omale questioned why Akpoti-Uduaghan presented herself as a victim abroad rather than using the Senate’s internal channels or Nigeria’s judicial system.

She argued that the Senator’s conduct falls below the standards of women from Ebira land, who have held public offices with dignity and integrity.

“We demand an apology and will mobilise groups in Kogi Central to begin recalling Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate,” Omale stated.

She added, “What began as a seat change quickly escalated into sexual harassment allegations, shocking many and causing dismay among her constituents.

“We won’t judge the truth of her claims, but we can assess her response and its impact on female politicians’ credibility in the zone.

“She who accuses must prove; we expected her to file a petition supported by evidence, not resort to public claims without legal action.”

Omale criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to apologise or follow Senate rules, noting it denies her constituents representation for the next six legislative months.

“This action shows disregard for those who elected her,” Omale said.

But a Federal High Court in Lokoja has granted an interim injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving or processing any petition aimed at recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, March 20, 2025, also restrains INEC staff, agents, and associates from acting on petitions allegedly containing fictitious signatures from members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The injunction will remain in effect until the court hears the Motion on Notice regarding the matter.

According to court documents made available to journalists on Friday, March 21, the order was granted following an ex-parte application for an interim injunction.

The application was supported by an Affidavit of Extreme Urgency, sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters from Kogi Central.

The case was presented by Smart Nwachimere, Esq, of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.

The court has adjourned the matter until May 6, 2025, for a report on service and further proceedings.