Sen Natasha Recall: 'We'll Ensure Transparent Signature Verification', Kogi Central CSO Situation Room »

A coalition of fifteen observers group for the Kogi Central Recall exercise of the embattled Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to ensure rule of law, transparency, sincerity and international best practice is observed in the coming verification exercise of the submitted signatures for the recall of the Senator. This was contained in a press statement at a press conference held in Abuja on Friday by the group.

Speaking on behalf of the fourteen other heads of the civil society groups in the observers group, Convener and Leader of the coalition Mr Mike Femi says the civil society observers group have noted with sense of responsibility, constitutional assignment and mandate the responsibilities of observers group as required by law in preparation towards the recall exercise as requested by certain persons from the Kogi Central Senatorial district. It will be recalled that some constituents of Senator Natasha have gathered over two hundred and fifty signatures in the bid to recall the Senator over what they described as unethical conduct and bad representation of the Senator.

Mr Mike Femi emphasized that the constitution through the electoral acts mandates the compulsory participation of independent registered civil organizations to monitor any election or recall process to be carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission, hence the need for them to rise to the occasion to ensure no law is breached and no politics is introduced to the recall process. He said tensions are high and there have been altercations from both the people planning the recall, the senator herself and her political associates, stressing that this necessitates the observers group to do a thorough, unbaiased and legally permissible assignment to ensure the process is credible enough and the roots of democracy is strengthened in Nigeria.

Find below full press text as presented to the press

Being Text of Press Conference by Civil Society Coalition on the Ongoing Process to Recall Distinguished Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as announced by Independent National Electoral Commission

Gentlemen of the press,

It is a great call to duty and undeniable sense of responsibility as required by the laws of our land that we the coalition of fifteen Civil Society organizations wishes to address the Nigerian public at this crucial time of our national history and as part of efforts to deepen the roots of our democratic journey that we inform the public, electoral institution, concerned stakeholders and political leaders that we have just set up a Coalition of Civil Society situation room in response to the ongoing process to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

We are aware that pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received a petition from the people of Kogi Central senatorial district seeking to recall their Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which on its own is a constitutionally admissible right of the constituents. To the best of our knowledge too and based on what we read and watch in the news, INEC received certain persons who have initiated a recall process, obtained signatures of constituents as required by law, according to them and the electoral umpire through a letter that was made public has also informed the affected lawmaker of the development as stipulated by law as part of recall process.

As critical stakeholders in our country’s democratic governance system, we owe it a duty to add our voices by rising to the patriotic call in ensuring that the system of governance we have all signed up for work in accordance with the spirit and letters of the constitution as well as ensuring that the weak and the vulnerable are not unjustly subsumed by what we know as powerful forces, hence the need for us as required by law to monitor the process as our duly assigned responsibility by law.

While we are not here to take a position on a constitutionally recognised ongoing process, it is important to warn that no effort should be spared to shield it from political shenanigans and undue interference that may undermine the process or infringe on the rights of anyone by anyone in the process.

We have 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.

Our appeal however is that the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), recognising the humongous power it wields and also being central in this entire process of the recall must adheres 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 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 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.

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 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.

While we thank you gentlemen of the press, please accept the assurances of our fairness, impartiality and commitment to making sure the right things are done throughout.

Thank you