,,,,, Group kicks, pledges loyalty to the Senator.
By correspondent in Lokoja.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
(C) Facebook.
Constituents of the Kogi Central Senatorial District have initiated a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as reports confirm that the collection of signatures for her recall has begun in several communities across the district.
Our correspondent reports that the move comes after ongoing dissatisfaction with her representation, as some constituents claim that their concerns have not been addressed.
The Reporters recalls that residents in the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) that make up the Kogi Central Senatorial District ,on Wednesday, started to participate in the recall exercise.
These areas include Ajaokuta, Adavi, Okene, Lokoja, and Okehi where residents gathered at designated signature collection points, with some taking the opportunity to voice their frustrations with the senator’s performance.
One notable location was the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s hometown, where residents were seen queued to add their names to the recall petition.
Mr. Samuel Adamu, a resident from Lokoja Metropolis, said that the recall the exercise would end on Friday, pointing out that it is meant to collect the necessary signatures to initiate a petition for the senator’s recall.
“We are confident that by Friday, March 21, we will have gathered enough signatures to file the petition for her recall,” Adamu said.
He emphasized that the community had made several attempts to engage with Akpoti-Uduaghan but had been unsuccessful in getting her attention.
Our correspondent gathered that the recall process has created a divide among the constituents of Kogi Central. While many are eager to see the senator removed from office, others remain steadfast in their support of the Senator, arguing that her efforts to serve the people have been undermined by political forces.
Before the recall process began, supporters of the Senator issued a statement expressing their unwavering loyalty to her.
The statement, titled “Nothing Can Ever Make Us Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” was signed by Hon. Abdulrahaman Badamasiuy, the Coordinator and Convener of the Concerned Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The Constituents emphasized their firm support for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and condemned any attempts to undermine her position.
“We are standing with and fighting for justice alongside our daughter and duly elected Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” they said.
The supporters called for the immediate termination of what they referred to as her “illegal suspension” from the Senate, saying that her suspension amounts to denying the district of its rightful representation in the National Assembly.
The concerned constituents further stated that they would not allow any group or individual to undermine Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legitimacy as the elected senator for Kogi Central.
“We are resolute that we shall never trade off the quality of representation that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has given to us since she assumed office,” the statement declared.
This development follows the senator’s suspension from the Senate, a move that many of her supporters have criticized as politically motivated and unjust.
They argue that her suspension has led to a significant lack of representation for the people of Kogi Central in the National Assembly.
At the same time, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters urged the Senate to reverse the suspension order and allow the senator to continue her work on behalf of her constituents.
“We demand that the Senate terminate the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,because it unjustly denies our people of our constitutional right to federal representation,” they urged.
With the recall process set to conclude on Friday, March 21, all eyes will be on the final outcome.
Edited by Dada Ahmed with agency report.
