Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have taken steps to recall their suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by submitting a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing loss of confidence in her representation.

The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” was presented by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents and received by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The petitioners cited “gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour” as reasons for their loss of confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s representation. They claimed that her actions have “embarrassed the people of Kogi Central” and “tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.” The petition reportedly garnered over 250,000 signatures from the approximately 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district, meeting INEC’s requirement of more than half of the electorate for a recall process.

This development follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate, which stemmed from a dispute over seating arrangements with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. During the altercation, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. However, the Senate’s ethics committee dismissed her allegations, citing procedural violations, and recommended her suspension for misconduct, including refusal to sit in her assigned seat and making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership.

In response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Akpabio, seeking 100 billion naira in damages. She has also taken her case to international bodies, including the United Nations Parliamentary Union, alleging that her suspension is an attempt to silence her and undermines democratic principles.

The recall process initiated by her constituents adds another layer to the ongoing political turmoil surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure. INEC’s acceptance of the petition marks the beginning of a constitutionally mandated procedure that could lead to her removal from office, pending verification of the petition’s validity and a subsequent referendum.