Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Denies Apology Claims Amid Recall Petition.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi West) has refuted claims that she apologised to the Senate over her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She described the reports as a desperate attempt to silence her, reaffirming her commitment to standing by her claims.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received a petition seeking her recall, following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja that vacated an earlier injunction restraining the commission from accepting the process.
Senator Vows to Stand Her Ground
In a statement on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned what she called a calculated attempt to discredit her, insisting she would not be intimidated.
“I stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated. The games being played in full view of Nigerians will be exposed, and those who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable,” she declared.
She further stated that her suspension from the Senate was not just a personal issue but an example of how powerful figures suppress dissenting voices, particularly women who challenge the status quo. Despite the political backlash, she reaffirmed her commitment to justice and women’s rights, urging the public to dismiss the viral apology report as false and misleading.
INEC Receives Recall Petition
On Monday, INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony officially received the recall petition, which was submitted by a group of registered voters from Kogi Central. The petition, dated 21st March 2025, was signed by what the organisers claim is more than half of the registered voters in the senatorial district.
The petition reads:
“We, the undersigned being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. We hereby demand that INEC immediately commences the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
Speaking to journalists after submitting the petition, the leader of the group, Charity Omole, stated that those who voted for Akpoti-Uduaghan had now decided to recall her.
Court Lifts Injunction Against INEC
The Federal High Court in Lokoja, presided over by Justice Isa Dashen, had initially granted an interim injunction preventing INEC from accepting the recall petition or conducting any referendum on the matter. However, following an oral application by INEC’s counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu (SAN), the court lifted the injunction and ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.
Aliyu argued that the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to prevent INEC, a constitutional body, from performing its duties. In response, counsel for the applicants, West Idahosa (SAN), contended that allegations of forgery and illegality needed to be examined before allowing the recall process to proceed.
After reviewing both arguments, Justice Dashen ruled in favour of lifting the injunction and scheduled the case for a hearing on 9th April 2025.
With tensions running high, the unfolding legal battle over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall is expected to be closely watched in the coming weeks.
