*Akpoti-Uduagha’s Opponents Vow To Press On With Recall Process
A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has barred parties in the suit filed by suspended senator, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to the case until further notice.
The new Presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, gave the order on Friday, April 3, following complaint by Akpabio’s Counsel, Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), that the plaintiff (Akpoti-Uduaghan) was moving from one television house to another, granting press interviews on issues relating to her case currently pending before the court.
As a result, Justice Nyako ordered that there should be no press interviews by all parties and their lawyers as regard the subject matter of the case, as well as barring parties and their lawyers from engaging in streaming of proceedings in the case on social media.
Meanwhile, some hardline constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have vowed to press on with their effort to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly.
In a statement issued by Salihu Habib, the group insisted there was no going back on their resolve to recall the senator, even as it expressed appreciation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for validating 208,132 signatures, representing 43.86 per cent of the registered voters in the district, in the petition submitted for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
Their renewed determination followed INEC’s declaration of some shortcoming in the recall petition they had earlier presented to it, saying in a statement on its X handle that the petition failed to meet the minimum requirement prescribed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the petitioners said the validation of 43.86 per cent by INEC was a confirmation that Kogi Central constituents had rejected the senator, adding: “Apparently, INEC cancelled not less than 35,000 signatures from the administrative signatures collected.
“We will liaise with INEC within the full ambits of the constitution and regulations to demand for transparency in the handling of our petition.
“We have utmost confidence in the commission not to subject the recall process to ambiguity or administrative opacity.”
They applauded INEC for proving naysayers, who queried the authenticity of their figures, wrong, noting: “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.”
They insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall “for misconduct and divisiveness” was non-negotiable, saying: “We are firm in our resolve to restore dignified and collaborative representation to Kogi Central senatorial district. We will no longer indulge someone who will do and say anything just to remain politically relevant.
“We will pursue all lawful and constitutional means to ensure our voices are heard and respected. After God, power belongs to the people,” they stated.
