By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The people of Kogi Central have strongly opposed the recent legal action taken by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the district in the Senate.
The embattled senator secured a court injunction preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving or acting on a petition seeking her recall.
However, constituents see this move as an indication that she acknowledges her inevitable removal from office.
Representatives from the district’s five local government areas argue that when a leader’s intentions are not genuine, errors become unavoidable. According to them, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to challenge the recall process exposes flaws in her own actions, even in the way she structured her court filing.
In a statement released by the Kogi Central Renaissance Assembly (KCRA) on Friday, the constituents accused the senator of resorting to legal means out of desperation. They criticised her for dismissing the recall signatures as fake while simultaneously requesting the court to stop INEC from verifying them.
“It is absurd that someone who claims the recall process is fraudulent is now trying to prevent INEC from determining the authenticity of the signatures,” the statement read.
“We understand your situation. This is a last-minute attempt to avoid the embarrassment of being recalled. But we, the people of Kogi Central, believe you have already brought shame upon yourself and our district. The courts belong to everyone, but you cannot force yourself upon us. This legal manoeuvre is destined to fail,” the statement, signed by KCRA Coordinator Adeku Joshua and Secretary Maleek Sule, declared.
They argue that their efforts are not just about one individual but about restoring the district’s reputation.
“We, the Ebira people, do not support blackmail or reckless behaviour. We stand by this recall and will see it through. The world must understand that we are a community built on integrity. Enough of bringing embarrassment to Nigeria with baseless accusations,” they asserted.
