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Senator Natasha Recall: Hope rises for Natasha as INEC states that Petitioners are yet to comply with their rules

The Kogi Central recall petition has been a focal point of intense political activity and controversy. The petition, which involves over 200,000 signatories, aims to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti from her position as a senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District. Recall petitions are a part of Nigeria’s political system, allowing citizens to petition for the removal of an elected official if they feel the official is not serving their interests.

However, the recall process has been mired in controversy due to the strict requirements imposed by INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission). INEC insists that not only must signatories provide their signatures, but also their contact address, email address, and telephone numbers. This raises several issues:

• EXCERPT

  INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

  PRESS RELEASE

  PETITION FOR THE RECALL OF THE SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

  The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

  The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.

  The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

  The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is “Okene, Kogi State”, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.

  The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them. Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only. The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

  Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines. In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.

  The Commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should therefore discountenance any speculations and insinuations in the social media.

  Sam Olumekun mni

  National Commissioner & Chairman

  Information and Voter Education Committee

  Tuesday 25th March 2025

  

Amid the recall efforts and mounting political tensions, Senator Natasha Akpoti was suspended from the Senate due to allegations of gross misconduct. The exact nature of the misconduct that led to her suspension hasn’t always been clear in the media, but these allegations typically involve disrupting Senate proceedings or engaging in actions deemed inappropriate within the context of parliamentary duties.

• Rivalry and Political Gamesmanship: Akpoti has often been an outspoken critic of the establishment, challenging the status quo and taking a stand on issues such as governance, infrastructure, and the allocation of resources. This has earned her both admiration and animosity. Her suspension could be seen as a political move designed to discredit her or silence her voice within the Senate, especially at a time when she was gaining traction with the recall petition and gaining popularity with her constituents.
• Alleged Overreach by Senate Leadership: The timing of her suspension has also raised questions about whether the Senate leadership, particularly Senate President Godswill Akpabio, may have had a hand in sidelining her due to her rising influence and criticisms of the political elite.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Natasha Akpoti also made serious allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment. Akpoti claimed that Akpabio had made unwanted advances toward her, suggesting a power dynamic at play in the Nigerian Senate where women in politics may face significant challenges from their male counterparts.

However, these allegations were without concrete evidence, which has sparked a significant amount of controversy. Accusations of sexual harassment are serious and sensitive, and without evidence, they can easily become part of political infighting.

• Political Maneuvering: Critics of Akpoti’s allegations argue that these claims were part of a larger political struggle. Given the ongoing tensions between Akpoti and the Senate leadership, especially Akpabio, some might view these accusations as a tool in a political battle rather than an attempt to genuinely address any misconduct.
• Public Perception: The lack of evidence to support the allegations means that public perception of Akpoti’s accusations could be divided. Some may view her claims as a legitimate attempt to speak out against abuse of power and sexual harassment in politics, while others may see them as politically motivated.
• Impact on Akpabio’s Reputation: For Akpabio, the allegations of sexual harassment have the potential to tarnish his public image as Senate President. Regardless of the truth, such accusations in a highly publicized environment can damage his credibility, particularly if they are seen as an extension of his patriarchal power within Nigerian politics.
• Gender Dynamics in Nigerian Politics: The situation underscores the challenges that female politicians face in Nigeria, especially when they challenge powerful men in politics. Allegations like these can distract from more substantive political issues and put a spotlight on personal and sensitive matters, often derailing broader political discourse.

This combination of events raises broader concerns about the state of Nigerian democracy and the role of political institutions like INEC, the Senate, and the judiciary. A few key issues are worth noting:

• Transparency and Accountability in Recall Processes: The strict requirements for recall petitions (such as the demand for personal contact details and biometric verification) raise important questions about electoral integrity and fairness. Such barriers may appear to be designed to frustrate efforts at democratic accountability, especially for individuals like Akpoti, who are already at odds with the political establishment.
• Impact on Public Trust in Institutions: Both the suspension of Akpoti and the allegations of sexual harassment contribute to a growing sense of mistrust in Nigerian institutions, particularly the Senate and the Electoral Commission (INEC). When citizens perceive that political institutions are being used to target specific individuals or groups, it undermines public confidence in the fairness of the political process.
• Gender and Power Dynamics in Nigerian Politics: The situation also highlights the complex gender dynamics in Nigerian politics. Women in politics often face additional scrutiny and challenges, and the allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio underscore the disparities in power and the vulnerability of female politicians who challenge the status quo. While it is important to take such allegations seriously, it is also crucial to consider the political context in which these claims are made.

The ongoing Kogi Central recall and the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti, combined with the serious allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, raise significant questions about the political landscape in Nigeria. The situation reveals deep divisions within the Nigerian political establishment and points to the challenges of achieving political accountability in a system fraught with bureaucratic hurdles, personal conflicts, and partisan struggles.

It is clear that reform is needed in several areas, including:

• Electoral processes to ensure greater transparency and inclusivity,
• Political conduct within the Senate to ensure that elected officials are held accountable and political power is not abused,
• And gender equality in the political arena, ensuring that female politicians are given equal opportunities without facing harassment or discrimination.

Ultimately, the Kogi Central recall, Senator Akpoti’s suspension, and the sexual harassment allegations are part of a larger battle for fairness and accountability in Nigerian politics, and they offer an opportunity for reflection on how the system can be reformed to better serve the people.

Would you like to explore any particular aspect of this situation further or delve into potential solutions to the problems raised? Let me know!