Ebira indigenes have strongly condemned claims that the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, lacks majority support from the electorate.

Some indigenes from across the five local government areas of Kogi Central have reaffirmed their commitment to recalling the senator, citing the embarrassment she has allegedly caused the senatorial district—an issue they claim has now gained international attention.

In a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim, President of the Kogi Central Elites Forum, KCEF, and Prince Akerejola Johnson of Ogori/Magongo LGA, the constituents dismissed allegations that the recall exercise was manipulated or orchestrated by external forces.

“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are united in this cause. Historically, Ebiras cannot be deceived. What she has done has largely been propaganda.

“Even those of us who initially supported her on social media have withdrawn our support. We cannot compromise the integrity of our state and country for the self-serving, immature actions of a senator.

“A simple matter of refusing an assigned Senate seat should not have escalated into a national embarrassment with baseless allegations of ‘sexual harassment’, especially when all evidence points to blackmail. This is not who we are as Ebiras,” the statement read.

Addressing the disclaimer by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, regarding the recall process, the constituents clarified that INEC’s involvement comes later in the process.

“INEC has no official role until the signature collection phase is completed. We, the petitioners, are responsible for ensuring that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. That is when INEC steps in,” they stated.

They urged the public to disregard misleading narratives, emphasising that political statements often reflect individual biases and vested interests.

As Ebira people, we are determined to bring Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan back home. Perhaps, during her time here, she will gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of representing her constituents.

“Ordinarily, we would never tolerate intimidation of our daughter if she were in the right.

However, in this case, she disrespected the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which operates under clear rules, and introduced narratives previously unheard of in Senate history.

“We have conducted our investigations and know the truth. Lawmaking is not content creation, as many have suggested.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must return home to learn the fundamentals of legislative representation,” the statement added.

This development follows allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has further fuelled controversy within the National Assembly.