Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for validating 208,132 (43.86%) of the signatures submitted in their petition for the recall of the suspended lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the District in the National Assembly.
While the constituents noted that they had mobilised more than the required 50% plus one threshold of registered voters and submitted their petition with full documentation, they believe that the validation of 43.86% of signatures by INEC is a clear indication that the people of Kogi Central have rejected the embattled senator.
“Apparently, INEC canceled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage,” the constituents said while reacting to a statement on the recall process issued by the electoral umpire.
The constituents expressed their unwavering resolve to move forward with the recall process and bring the Senator home in a statement issued Thursday and signed by Salihu Habib on behalf of the petitioners.
“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,” the constituents said.
The constituents also expressed their appreciation to INEC for validating the signatures, refuting the claims of critics who questioned the authenticity of their figures.
“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,” Habib said.
The petitioners reiterated that their call for the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan “for misconduct and divisiveness” was non-negotiable.
The petitioners pointed to a recent rally held by Akpoti-Uduaghan, where they accused her of making inflammatory comments that could potentially incite unrest.
It also vowed to use all lawful and constitutional means to ensure their voices are heard. “After God, power belongs to the people,” they declared.
They stated, “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.
“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.
“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?
“We will pursue all lawful and constitutional means to ensure our voices are heard and respected. After God, power belongs to the people.”
