Natasha’s Recall Process Should Not Be Swept Under Carpet, CSOs Caution INEC
…Says Wish of Her Constituents Should Be Respected
A coalition of civil society organizations has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to treat the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with levity, considering the weight of the allegations she leveled against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Recall that Senator Natasha had accused the Senate President of sexual harassment, a development that has raised controversies within the Nigerian polity for weeks.
But the Coalition led by Comrade Femi Mike, at a briefing in Abuja on Friday, said INEC must adhere strictly to the stipulated guidelines for a recall process.
The Group said the process must be done with transparency and fairness and ensure the will of the people of her constituents is not manipulated.
Comrade Mike stated in part, “Our appeal is that the electoral umpire, INEC, recognizing the humongous power it wields and being central in this entire process of the recall must adhere strictly to the stipulated guidelines.
“While no one can categorically accuse INEC of being complicit so far, we want to emphasize that the Commission should conduct this process with transparency and fairness.
“Any attempt to toe an unpopular route or politicize the recall process would undermine the credibility of our democratic institutions, and we seriously hope that does not happen. At the same time, if the Kogi central people say they need a new Senator, it will be unfair and unjust to deny them such right as known to law, hence the need to activate our arsenals for this daunting exercise.
“As a non-partisan, non-political, and non-aligned body, we must continue to raise our voices in contributing to the entrenchment of excellent democratic culture. We, therefore assure the electorates, electoral umpire, the lawmaker affected, and all Nigerians of our total commitment to upholding constitutionality and fairness throughout the exercise, and at the end of the day, our report shall be made public on the exercise”.
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