Nigerian politics, like in many parts of the world—even in the so-called saner climes that are not so sane—has once again laid bare its unforgiving nature. It is a space where the line between admiration and abandonment is razor-thin. A single misstep is all it takes to transform a beloved leader into a political pariah.
One moment, you are the hunter, wielding influence and commanding loyalty; the next, you become the hunted, with a target firmly placed on your back. The average politician knows that survival is never guaranteed, and the fall from grace can be as swift as the rise to prominence.
The ongoing attempt to recall embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) from the Nigerian Senate has reignited intense debates over the effectiveness of the recall process and the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a dramatic turn of events, INEC has issued conflicting statements within just two days, raising serious concerns about its transparency, consistency, and independence.
Since her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the political tide has turned swiftly against Senator Natasha. Once celebrated as a darling of her people, dazzling many just four months ago with legacy projects to mark her first year in office. Now, she finds herself as an outcast.
In Yorubaland, there is a saying: “Aje ke lana, omo ku loni,” loosely translated as “The witch cried yesterday, and the child died today.” The implication is clear—who doesn’t know that the child’s death was caused by the witch’s cries? In this part of the world, politics is a brutal teacher, and in this case, it has delivered 250,000 lessons—the number of constituents who allegedly signed the recall petition.
It is worth reminding the public that the tribunal, which upheld Akpoti-Uduaghan’s victory in the 2023 election, declared that she secured 54,074 votes as the PDP candidate, narrowly defeating Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC, who polled 51,291 votes in the February 25, 2023 election. The numbers tell a story—one that raises serious questions about the legitimacy of this sudden and dramatic recall effort.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, a lawmaker can be recalled if more than half of their constituents sign a petition, which must then be verified by INEC.
INEC has a history of being caught in the web of political interference, with accusations of bias and selective enforcement of electoral laws. The timing and circumstances surrounding her recall bid raise suspicions of a politically engineered attempt to silence dissent. INEC must be wary of being used as a tool for political suppression.
For democracy to thrive, institutions like INEC must operate with absolute independence, free from political manipulation or coercion. The commission’s handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall will set a critical precedent for future cases. If INEC succumbs to undue influence, the recall process risks becoming yet another political weapon—one wielded not for accountability, but as a tool to silence dissenting voices. Let’s not forget the Rivers with a state of emergency.
As Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan takes her fight to the international stage, she is undoubtedly aware that the ground is shifting beneath her back home. Her so-called constituents have launched a recall effort, accusing her of tarnishing the office of the Senate President. They call her a disgrace. They claim she has failed to represent them.
But if there is one thing we know about Natasha, it is that she is a fighter—a woman who defied the odds stacked against her by Yahaya Bello to clinch a Senate seat. She will not go down without a battle as she has shown Nigerians, if she will go down at all.
History offers a precedent. In 2018, Senator Dino Melaye, then representing Kogi West, faced a similar recall attempt. Yet, despite the political firestorm, only 18,742 out of 189,870 registered constituents turned up for INEC’s verification exercise—far below the threshold required to oust him. Will Natasha’s case follow the same script, or will the political tides sweep her away? Time will tell.
Akinleye Segun writes from Lagos and can be reached via email: Mypenspeaks@gmail.com
