A leaked document has exposed allegations of forged signatures in a recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central. The petition, purportedly backed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, and Ododo, aims to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Victor Giwa, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, alleging forgery of signatures. The legal team claims that over 250,000 signatures submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were forged, and only a forensic examination can verify the authenticity of the signatures.
INEC confirmed receiving the petition but noted that it lacked essential details such as contact addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of the petitioners. After correcting these details, INEC announced plans to verify the signatures at each polling unit in the constituency. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team insists that the forgery allegations must be addressed before proceeding with the verification exercise.
The Ebira People’s Association has condemned the recall process, describing it as a “politically motivated gang-up” designed to undermine democracy. The association accused INEC of facilitating an illegitimate recall effort and urged the commission to resist being used as a tool to subvert the people’s mandate.
A related case is still pending in court, and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team is determined to prosecute the alleged forgery. The outcome of this case will likely determine the fate of the recall petition and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political career.
If the allegations of forgery are proven true, it would not only invalidate the recall petition but also undermine the credibility of INEC. The commission’s handling of this situation will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for future recall petitions. As the situation unfolds, one thing is certain – the fate of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan hangs precariously in the balance.
