The bid to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has taken a new twist, as she has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, over alleged forgery of signatures in the recall petition against her.
The recall effort, led by a group of constituents under the leadership of Charity Ijese, involved the submission of over 250,000 signatures to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, questions have been raised regarding the authenticity of these signatures, as records show that only 120,000 people participated in the 2023 senatorial election.
INEC, after receiving the petition, initially noted the absence of critical details such as the signatories’ contact information but later confirmed that the missing data had been rectified. Meanwhile, leaked videos surfaced online, allegedly showing political figures in the state appending signatures, further intensifying suspicions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, has accused members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State of orchestrating the forgery, describing it as a desperate attempt to remove her from office. Giwa emphasised that only a forensic examination by law enforcement could verify the authenticity of the signatures, asserting that INEC lacks the necessary tools to determine forgery.
As the controversy unfolds, the Ebira People’s Association has condemned the recall process, labeling it a politically motivated attack on democracy. The group has called on INEC to remain neutral and avoid being used as a tool for political manipulation.
With legal battles looming and public skepticism growing, the fate of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s senatorial seat remains uncertain.
