Kogi, Nigeria
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central at the Nigerian Senate, says the organisation that engineered her recall doesn’t exist, according to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Senator faulted the address of the political association which submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
She spoke in her home country in the Okhei local government area of Kogi State on Tuesday after defying security restrictions imposed on the area to prevent her visit by the State Government.
She also accused INEC of bias concerning her recall process, saying the commission is aware that the association is not a registered entity.
“What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts,” she said while addressing the jubilant crowd.
“The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have an address and phone numbers, so INEC went out to guide them on how to submit information that would perfect their petition.
“And what did they do? The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, submitted a letterhead. What was the name of it? Kogi Central Political Frontier. And the address there was number 4, Oboroke.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the address does not exist, adding that she ran a check on the status of registration of Kogi Central Political Frontier, the association which sponsored her recall.
“And the CAC report came negative, that the association is not registered,” she added.
“So, I’m still waiting and wondering why INEC has not yet made a statement to that effect or sent people down to Oboroke here, which is just five minutes away, to ascertain whether that address is real.
“Or have we stooped to the point whereby fictitious, non-existing associations and individuals can call for the recall of a senator? Are we in a kangaroo country? We should not allow that.
“I don’t know whether the process will be stalled, but we are in the courts as well. Also, I don’t know when they will come down here to verify.
“But I will say this, if the time ever comes for the verification of the 250,000 people that signed for my recall, I trust that you will do right.”
Last month, the Senator was suspended for six months following a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which found her guilty of misconduct and failing to appear before the committee.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
