Natasha vs Akpabio: Kogi Central Senator’s Recall Process Suffers Setback

The plot to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has suffered a major setback as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observed the petition fell short of constitutional requirement over omission of contact details of the petitioners.

Also, controversy erupted in the Senate yesterday, as Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi engaged in an explosive clash with former Minister of Education, Dr.

Oby Ezekwesili, during a hearing on the sexual harassment allegations involving Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Recall that INEC on Monday received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The constituents claimed the signed petition met the requirements as stipulated by the Constitution 1990 as amended.

It was learnt that more than one-half of the registered voters in the district, over 200,000 people, signed in support.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, said the petitioners failed to include essential contact details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required under INEC’s 2024 Recall Regulations and Guidelines.

Additionally, the provided address—“Okene, Kogi State”—was deemed too vague under INEC regulations.

The commission highlighted that the recall petition covers voters across five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—spanning 902 polling units in 57 registration areas. INEC reiterated that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its own regulations, and will only proceed if all legal requirements are met.

If validated, the next step would involve verifying the collected signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

Only registered voters who signed the petition will participate, and both petitioners and the senator facing recall can appoint agents to observe the process.

Accredited media and observers will also be allowed to monitor the exercise.

INEC assured the public of its commitment to due process and urged against misinformation.

It added that alternative means of contacting the petitioners were being considered due to the incomplete information provided.

The commission affirmed that once all legal requirements are fulfilled, it will announce the next steps in the recall process.

Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili in War of Words at Senate Hearing

Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi launched a verbal attack on former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, hurling unprintable insults at her during a dramatic moment at the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges hearing on Tuesday.

During the proceedings, tensions flared when Nwaebonyi resorted to derogatory remarks, labelling Ezekwesili an “insult to womanhood” and a “hooligan.”

The herbal war stemmed from Ezekwesili and some other attendees’ refusal to take an oath during the committee’s hearing on the sexual harassment allegation matter between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

While one of the senators insisted that either they take the oath or the committee closed the meeting, Ezekwesili and her colleagues insisted on not taking the oath, during which Senator Nwebonyi flared up in rage.

“You are an insult to womanhood, hooligan. People like you are not supposed to be here, hooligan. You are an insult to womanhood!” Nwebonyi repeatedly thundered at Ezekwesili, who maintained her stance while staff made frantic attempts to switch off their microphones.

Social media have been abuzz following the altercation, with many Nigerians decrying Nwaebonyi’s conduct as unprofessional and unbecoming of a public official.

Critics accused the senator of failing to uphold decorum and called for disciplinary actions against him.

Some suggested he undergo anger management training, while others went as far as advocating for his recall from office.

Meanwhile, Ezekwesili’s composed response in the face of the attack earned her praise from many quarters, with supporters commending her grace under pressure.

Ezekwesili has long been a prominent voice for good governance, transparency, and women’s rights in Nigeria.

Particularly, she has been vocal in her support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan since the sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio and her subsequent six-month suspension.

Her support for Natasha aligns with her broader advocacy for increased female political participation and justice in the Nigerian political system.

She had described the six-month suspension imposed on Natasha, the senator representing Kogi Central, by the Senate as a “vicious abuse of power.”

Ezekwesili had, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said that instead of probing the sexual harassment allegations levelled by Natasha against Senate President Akpabio, the red chambers “decided to choose the ignoble path of vicious abuse of power and desecration of our public institution”.

She added in the post, “When men because of little power fleetingly acquired start speaking like they are God, we all must remember what history reveals of their kind.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. You have inspired a Generation. You have inspired all credible citizens. You will never walk alone.”