Kogi central constituents vow to reinitiate recall process against Natasha Akpoti
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) halting the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have vowed to push forward, insisting that the process is far from over.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Salihu Habib on behalf of the petitioners, the constituents expressed gratitude to INEC for validating 208,132 signatures—43.86% of registered voters in the district—despite the petition failing to meet the constitutional threshold of 50%+1. They claimed the validation proved that the majority of Kogi Central residents no longer support the embattled senator.
“Apparently, INEC canceled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage,” the petitioners alleged.
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They pledged to work within constitutional and regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency in the recall process, affirming their trust in INEC’s impartiality.
“We thank INEC for making it clear that the bulk of the people of Kogi Central are behind us and that we did not import a crowd like a desperate, embattled lawmaker,” the statement read.
The petitioners maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall over alleged misconduct and divisiveness remained “non-negotiable,” citing her recent public statements as inflammatory.
“The whole of Nigeria watched her deceptive rally last Tuesday where she openly made comments capable of setting, not just Kogi State, but Nigeria ablaze,” they claimed.
They further accused the senator of attempting to stoke regional tensions.
“How can any patriotic Nigerian accuse other parts of the country of sabotaging Kogi State/the North because LNG plants are sited here? How can a responsible Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria try to pitch the North against the South?” the statement questioned.
Reiterating their determination, the petitioners stated: “We will pursue all lawful and constitutional means to ensure our voices are heard and respected. After God, power belongs to the people.”
