A Civil Society Coalition, said it has set up a situation room to monitor the process for recall of Senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by members of her constituents.
Convener and Lead Partner of the group, Civil Society Situation Room for Kogi Central Recall exercise, Femi Mike, in a statement over the weekend, said the coalition was in the receipt of petition from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended).”
The convener added that as “critical stakeholders in the nation’s democratic governance system,” the group decided to monitor the process to ensure that “the weak and the vulnerable are not unjustly subsumed by what we know as powerful forces.”
He however said the coalition would not take a position “on a constitutionally recognised ongoing process,” but would ensure that no effort was spared to shield the process “from political shenanigans and undue interference that may undermine the process or infringe on the rights of anyone by anyone in the process.”
Mike stated that the group had watched the interests, intrigue, drama and suspense generated by the recall process of the Senator, who has been accused of ‘serially’ violating Senate rules.
“We have also listened to comments and commentaries from various quarters, both those in support and against her recall, which in (its) own is the right all that have spoken or taken action to so do, while we owe the nation the sacred duty of ensuring fairness and unbiased action throughout the process,” he stated.
He appealed to INEC to recognise the power it wields and adhere strictly to stipulated guidelines.
“While no one can categorically accuse INEC of complicit so far, we want to emphasise that the commission should conduct this process with transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to its guidelines, ensuring that the will of the people is not manipulated.
“Any attempt to toe unpopular route or politicise 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 also be unfair and unjust to deny them such right as known to law, hence the need to activate our arsenals for this daunting exercise,” the group stated.
According to the convener, as a non-partisan, non-political and non-aligned body, the coalition would continue to raise it voice in contributing to the entrenchment of excellent democratic culture.
“We therefore assure the electorate, electoral umpire, the lawmaker affected and entire 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,” he added.
