The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has described the recent attempt to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as an “embarrassment to Nigeria” and a dangerous precedent for democracy....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE | READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE...
The civil society organization expressed concern over what it termed a politically motivated ploy to silence the senator following her public altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, TMG Chairman, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the speed and manner with which the recall process was initiated revealed a desperate effort by unnamed political actors to muzzle one of the few female voices in the 10th Senate.
“The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has observed keenly the events involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The attempt to recall Senator Natasha is a clear and desperate effort to silence her,” Rafsanjani stated.
TMG reiterated the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the serious allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of power, and infringement on the senator’s right to perform her legislative duties.
The group said the issues raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be brushed aside or treated as mere political squabbles but as urgent matters deserving transparent institutional scrutiny.
TMG accused the Senate leadership of mishandling the controversy, describing the actions of Senate President Akpabio and the Ethics Committee as a “gang-up.”
The group faulted Akpabio for not recusing himself from proceedings concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan and condemned the committee chairman’s dismissal of her petition as “dead on arrival.”
“A quick follow-up to her suspension saw an attempt to recall her. Nigerians observed with perplexity, the crooked and dubious attempt at gathering signatures from her constituents.
“There’s video evidence showing constituents were deceived into providing their details under the guise of empowerment schemes,” Rafsanjani said.
While applauding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its transparent handling of the recall process, TMG noted that the effort was “a waste of time” and “a charade,” arguing that it violated the spirit of Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines legitimate grounds for recalling a legislator — namely, underperformance or misconduct.
The group raised eyebrows at the speed with which signatures were reportedly gathered, questioning how over 50% of Kogi Central’s registered voters allegedly participated in a country plagued by chronic voter apathy.
“This occurrence calls for deeper insight that can only be brought about through a thorough investigation,” TMG stated.
“Who engineered the recall? Who sponsored it? Is this what recall is all about — a mere tool for disgruntled politicians to wield against opposition?”
TMG concluded by reiterating its call for democratic institutions to uphold due process and resist becoming instruments of personal vendettas.
The group noted that all senators are equally elected representatives of their constituents and that the Senate must not project itself as hostile to female legislators.