Petitioning constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District have insisted that their planned recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan “for misconduct and divisiveness” remains non-negotiable.
According to a statement issued and signed for the petitioners by Salihu Habib, “Apparently, INEC canceled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage.
“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.
“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.
Besides, they also alleged that at a recent rally held by Akpoti-Uduaghan, she made inflammatory comments that had the potential to incite unrest, adding that they would use all lawful and constitutional means to ensure their voices are heard.
“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,” the petitioners said.
Despite submitting signatures exceeding the required 50% plus one threshold, the petitioners view the validated 43.86% as a rejection of the senator by the district and alleged that INEC discarded approximately 35,000 signatures during administrative review.
