Senator Natasha Akpoti
By JOHN ONAH, Abuja-
coalition of Ebira indigenes from across the five local government areas of Kogi Central has dismissed claims that the ongoing recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is being manipulated, insisting that it represents the genuine will of the people.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), led by President Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim and Secretary Prince Akerejola Johnson, emphasized their determination to bring the embattled senator back home due to the alleged embarrassment she has caused the district, which they claim has taken an “international dimension.”
The group urged Nigerians to disregard insinuations that the recall process was a ploy orchestrated by political opponents, insisting that the people of Kogi Central were fully united in the effort.
“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived. Even those who once supported her on social media have distanced themselves from her. We cannot trade the integrity of our state and Nigeria for the selfish, juvenile tendencies of a Senator,” the statement read.
The group cited the Senator’s recent altercation in the National Assembly over an assigned seat as an instance of what they described as “reckless conduct that brought unnecessary national embarrassment.”
Responding to reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclaimed the recall exercise, the group clarified that the commission’s involvement only comes at a later stage.
“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We, the petitioners, are handling the recall process at this stage. Once we meet the required threshold, we will then submit it to INEC for verification,” the statement clarified.
