*Senator Denies Apologising To Senate Leadership, Insists On Allegation
THE leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) late on Monday, March 24, met after receiving a petition from constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
This was just as Akpoti-Uduaghan denied purported reports suggesting that she had apologised to the Senate leadership over the controversy that led to her suspension, standing by her claim of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, which was signed by over 250,000 out of the 480,000 constituents, more than the 50 per cent required to proceed with the recall process, comes barely three days after the Federal High Court in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, vacated an earlier order restraining the electoral body from receiving the recall process.
The court had affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of the constituents, urging them to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The development was after the court on Thursday, March 20, granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The court also stopped INEC from conducting any referendum upon such petition for the purpose of initiating a re-call process of Akpoti-Uduaghan as senator, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.
The court granted the application following an ex-parte application for interim, supported by an Affidavit of Extreme urgency, together with other court processes, sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, for himself and four others, who are registered voters and constituents of the district.
Counsel to the applicant, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petitions contained fictitious signatures from purported constituents.
The case was then adjourned until May 6, for further mentioning.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct,” following a seating arrangement dispute with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
She later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The petition, dated March 21, cites “loss of confidence” in the senator due to allegations of “gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour.”
In the petition addressed to the INEC chairman and stamped as received on March 24, the petitioners assert their right under the law to seek Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall, citing Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s recall guidelines.
They claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions have “not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central constituency, but also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.
“By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than one-half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that INEC immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
Though the petition was received by a staff of the commission, the electoral body was yet to issue any formal public response regarding it.
Leader of the group, Charity Omole, said they were the ones that voted her in and now they have decided to recall her.
A photo later emerged on the internet showing Omole in a pose with former governor of Kogi State and one of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political antagonists, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied reports that she had apologised to the Senate leadership over the controversy.
The embattled senator, in a statement on Monday, described the reports as “false and misleading,” reaffirming her allegation of sexual harassment against Akpabio, adding: “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.”
She accused some individuals of attempting to manipulate public perception through fabricated statements, urging Nigerians to disregard the rumours and publications, as they did not represent her position, even as she reiterated her commitment to truth, justice and he constituents.
She stated: “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 accountable.
“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 accountability, 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.”
Under the law, the commission is required to verify the petition signatures and conduct a referendum before a recall process can be finalised.
