The Civil Society Monitoring Situation Room is pushing for the recall of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. They are asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manage the recall process. Their main request is for the INEC to ensure that everything is done openly and fairly, according to the existing rules. The group emphasized the importance of respecting the voters’ wishes and preventing any unfair influence in the process.

During a recent press conference, Mike Femi, the Convener and lead partner of the Civil Society Organization, discussed the establishment of a situation room aimed at addressing the recall efforts targeting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who serves the Kogi Central Senatorial District. Femi provided insights into the organization’s strategic response to this political development

Femi noted that the electoral commission has effectively engaged with the individuals seeking to recall the senator, securing the necessary signatures from constituents and keeping the senator informed about the situation by legal standards.

He stated, “While we respect the significance of this process, we strongly urge all parties involved to protect it from any political pressure or interference that could jeopardize its fairness and the rights of those participating.” He recognized the diverse opinions surrounding the senator’s recall, highlighting the dynamic discussions fueled by public interest. Femi called on all stakeholders to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to fairness and transparency, ensuring that the integrity of the recall process is preserved for the benefit of everyone involved.

We strongly encourage the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to follow their rules closely during the recall process. Although we can’t say that INEC has done anything wrong so far, it’s really important for them to handle this situation openly and fairly. This way, the wishes of the people can truly be respected. If this recall process gets caught up in politics or becomes unpopular, it could damage people’s trust in our democratic system, and we hope that won’t happen. Conversely, if the residents of Kogi Central desire a new Senator, it would be unjust to withhold that option from them. Therefore, we need to be ready for this crucial task. As a nonpolitical organization, we will continue to advocate for a robust democratic process. We promise the voters, the electoral commission, the concerned lawmaker, and all Nigerians that we are dedicated to fairness and compliance with the law throughout this process. Once we have completed our work, we will share our conclusions with everyone.