CurrentReport Blog The Kogi Central People’s Alliance (KOCEPA) has strongly condemned the ongoing efforts to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the entire process as a fraudulent, deceitful, and manipulative scheme orchestrated by certain political figures in the region.
In a press conference held on Sunday at Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) in Kogi State, Abdulrazak Baba, the Coordinator of KOCEPA, denounced the actions of those behind the recall attempt, asserting that it would not succeed. He argued that the recall process was designed to mislead the public and was far from a legitimate exercise of democracy.
Baba highlighted a recent empowerment program, where constituents were allegedly misled into signing petitions for the recall under the guise of receiving support. He pointed out that many people were duped into participating in the so-called recall exercise, which they were led to believe was a genuine empowerment initiative.
“By now, we are sure that all of you are aware that the public was deceived to believe that the manipulative recall charade was for the purpose of empowerment,” Baba said. He further emphasized that a genuine recall process should be organic, not engineered by those seeking personal political gains.
According to Baba, the recall attempt did not hold up in many polling units, wards, and local government areas across Kogi Central Senatorial Zone. He mentioned that, in areas where people were initially misled, they quickly rejected the attempt, with some even resorting to hostility, as evidenced in videos, voice notes, and written texts shared across social media platforms.
KOCEPA accused the masterminds behind the recall attempt of weaponizing lies and deceit to take advantage of uninformed citizens. Baba also pointed out that a Federal High Court in Lokoja issued a restraining order on March 20, 2025, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), preventing them from receiving any petitions related to the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Baba stressed that this restraining order remains in effect.
“Unlike Senator Natasha’s true constituents, who are credible and patriotic citizens, the individuals behind this recall process are not recognized as trustworthy figures in the community,” Baba continued. “At best, they are opportunistic, adhoc, or even fraudulent organizations with unclear motives.”
The KOCEPA Coordinator also acknowledged the influence of money and political power in Nigeria, cautioning against the abuse of governance structures, security personnel, and electoral systems. He warned that without proper monitoring, it was possible for small numbers of voters to be manipulated to create false results in elections and recall processes.
While KOCEPA expressed its disapproval of the recall effort, they also took a moment to commend the Nigerian press for their impartial coverage of the matter. Baba acknowledged their role in shedding light on the situation and holding those involved accountable. He made a call to the Senate to immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan unconditionally, urging them to disregard the manipulative forces behind the recall attempt.
As the recall saga continues, the battle for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political future remains a contentious issue in Kogi Central, with KOCEPA vowing to oppose the fraudulent process at every turn.
