Amid the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly has cautioned both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police, stating that Nigerians are closely watching their actions.
This follows a viral video showing politicians in Kogi State allegedly mass-signing signatures alleged to be from the senator’s constituents.
In a statement, the National President of the Arewa Youths Progressives Assembly, Shuaibu Usman, accused INEC of repeatedly compromising electoral processes in Kogi State.
He also recalled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had already petitioned the police over the development.
Recalling past electoral controversies, Usman said: “Kogi parades as a worst example when it comes to INEC conduct of election in Nigeria. We have not forgotten how many credible organisations, including Yiaga Africa, raised the alarm of the electoral heist that went on during the last guber election in that state.
“So, INEC has been notorious for providing a thriving ground for politicians in Kogi State to mess up the country’s electoral system.
“The same people are at it again, this time hiding under the guise of a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. With their Kogi magic, they quickly manufactured over 250,000 signatures, whereas the entire voters during the main election stood at 120,000.
“One need not be a suitsayer to know that these are the same elements who are known to be chronic election riggers, with INEC as their enablers. However, we must caution the INEC that this should not be business as usual; this is beyond Kogi State, so Nigerians are watching.
“We were taken aback when the INEC after announcing that the petition did not meet its requirements, returned a day after to tell Nigerians that the same petitioners have met the requirements- what a quick fix! The INEC must not kowtow to the whims and caprices of desperate political elements in Kogi State, as this will be resisted by Nigerians.”
READ ALSO:Kogi LGA imposes curfew ahead of Senator Natasha’s rally
Similarly, the apex Igbo group also urged the police to ensure that all those in forging the signatures of Senator Natasha’s constituents were brought to book.
According to the group, the viral videos showed known faces in Kogi State, wondering why the police were yet to effect any arrest.
He added, “By now, we had expected that some of the perpetrators should be cooling their heels in custody or having their days in court, but it is yet to happen. There should be no room for compromise, the culprits, no matter how highly placed, should be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
“We urge that the police should engage forensic experts to analyze those signatures before the INEC takes any further step in the said petition.”
