A political storm is brewing in Kogi Central as constituents have launched a recall process against their senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the initiative as a politically motivated scheme backed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The recall process began on Wednesday in Okehi Local Government Area, where a large number of constituents queued up to sign a petition for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal. According to the organizers, the recall was prompted by a vote of no confidence in her representation.
Senator Natasha Dismisses Recall as “Fifth Columnists’ Work”
Despite the growing calls for her removal, Akpoti-Uduaghan has brushed off the recall attempt. Speaking through her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, she described the move as a desperate ploy by political adversaries.
“Whatever you are seeing is being sponsored by the fifth columnists. We have no reason to want to take issue with anybody. As far as we are concerned, the recall attempts wouldn’t stand,” Arogbonlo told *The PUNCH*.
He added that the senator and her team were under no pressure. “I hope you recall there was a protest by our actual constituents two days ago that there was no plan to recall anybody,” he said.
Constituents Explain Reasons for Recall
While Akpoti-Uduaghan and the PDP claim the recall is politically driven, some constituents argue that their frustration stems from the senator’s performance in office.
Ahmed Abdulkarim, a party leader in Ajaokuta Local Government, expressed disappointment in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure.
“I know Natasha. I’m fondly called ‘Baba Natasha,’ but today, no more Baba Natasha. We are recalling her because she refused to do what we asked her to do. Instead, she’s fighting our own Senate President,” he said.
Another constituent, Nura Ibrahim, insisted that the recall transcended political affiliations and was a result of widespread dissatisfaction.
“The decision to initiate the recall was not taken lightly. We tried engaging her on several occasions, but she ignored us,” Ibrahim explained.
A resident who participated in the recall exercise added, “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has disappointed us. She is not doing what we elected her to do. That is why we have unanimously agreed to recall her.”
The recall process will continue over the next two days across all polling units in Kogi Central’s five local governments, with constituents required to sign a petition for her removal.
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PDP Blames APC, Akpabio, and Yahaya Bello
The PDP has strongly condemned the recall process, alleging that it is a politically motivated attack orchestrated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that the recall had nothing to do with performance.
Ologunagba stated, “Her recall is part of a larger strategy to intimidate the opposition. Natasha has been an outstanding legislator. Her people know that she is a good representative. Don’t forget that you have the former Governor, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for fraud, and he’s allegedly at the forefront of this recall process.”
He also accused Akpabio of playing a key role in the attempt to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“You saw the shenanigans that happened on the floor of the Senate, where the Senate President, who was accused of sexual harassment, was the one reading out the outcome and punishing the person who accused him. This recall attempt is just another way to silence anyone who dares to speak out,” he added.
Kogi INEC Denies Knowledge of Recall
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Longpet, has denied any official knowledge of the recall process.
“I am not aware of any recall process, apart from the unconfirmed reports flying around on social media. No one has contacted me about any recall in any part of the state,” he told The PUNCH.
Senator Natasha Faces Legal Setback in Suspension Case
As the recall drama unfolds, Akpoti-Uduaghan suffered a legal setback on Wednesday when the Federal High Court in Abuja overturned an earlier ruling that had declared her Senate suspension null and void.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who had previously issued an interim injunction in her favor, reversed his decision after hearing arguments from both parties.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had sued the Senate, its president, and other officials, seeking to stop the investigation into allegations of misconduct against her. Her legal battle stemmed from a heated dispute with Akpabio over the relocation of her Senate seat, which later escalated into accusations of sexual harassment against the Senate President—a claim Akpabio has denied.
In an earlier ruling on March 4, Justice Egwuatu had restrained the Senate from taking any action against Akpoti-Uduaghan while her case was still in court. However, two days later, the Senate’s Ethics Committee found her guilty of misconduct and suspended her for six months without pay.
The court has now set March 25 as the date for hearing all pending applications in the case.
With the recall process in motion and her legal battle ongoing, Akpoti-Uduaghan finds herself in the middle of a high-stakes political fight. While her supporters argue that she is being unfairly targeted, her critics insist that she has failed to represent the interests of Kogi Central.