From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, received a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly.
INEC, in a post on its official Facebook page, said the petition received on Monday, by Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, and other senior staff members, was submitted by registered voters from the Kogi West Senatorial District.
“Earlier today, the Hon. Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, and other senior staff members of the Commission received a petition from registered voters from the Kogi West Senatorial District for the recall of the Senator representing the District, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The petition was submitted on their behalf by a team led by the Chairperson of the Kogi Women Development Association, Omole Charity Ijese”, the post read.
This is coming less than a week, after a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, last Thursday restrained INEC, its staff, or agents from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District for the recall of Senator Natasha.
The uproar at Senate plenary on 20th February as dispute over seating arrangements led to a heated exchange between Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The commotion began after the Kogi Senator voiced her displeasure at the change of her seat. But Natasha had accused Akpabio of persistent sexual advances. She claimed that Akpabio’s hostility toward her stems from her refusal to entertain them.
The Kogi Central Senator had been suspended for six months for misconduct and violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, barred access to the National Assembly premises and identifying herself as a senator.
