Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the public to disregard the viral report claiming she apologised to the senate.
Suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi central) has strongly denied reports claiming she tendered an apology to the senate over the allegations that led to her suspension.
She described the reports as “false and misleading,” insisting she remains resolute in defending her actions and standing by her constituents.
In a statement issued on Monday and titled “Re: Purported apology to the Senate over my sexual allegations claim against Senate President Godswill Akpabio,” the embattled senator reaffirmed her commitment to speaking the truth and exposing injustice.
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated. The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable.”
She stressed that her allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were not made lightly, adding that she remains determined to pursue justice regardless of the cost.
“As a senator, I have a duty to represent my constituents and uphold the principles of justice and transparency. My allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio were not made lightly, and I will continue to seek justice and accountability, no matter the cost.”
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Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the public to disregard the viral report claiming she apologised to the Senate, maintaining that it was fabricated and aimed at damaging her credibility.
“I will continue to fight for the rights of Nigerian women and ensure that our voices are heard.”
The senate had earlier suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged misconduct and violations of its rules. The suspension stripped her of all entitlements, including salary, security details, access to the National Assembly complex, and the right to publicly identify herself as a senator.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition seeking her recall from the Senate.
The petition, signed by over 250,000 constituents from Kogi central senatorial district, was submitted to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, March 24.
It was received by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, who confirmed that the petition would trigger the constitutional recall process.
According to the petitioners, they gathered signatures from more than half of the district’s 480,000 registered voters. The petition, titled, “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” accused the senator of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and consistently evading due process.
“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of Kogi central, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate,” the petition read.
The petitioners further accused the suspended senator of a “pattern of deceitful behaviour” which they claim has embarrassed the people of Kogi central and tarnished the image of the Nigerian senate.
With the petition now officially received, INEC is expected to commence the recall process as stipulated under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
If the process succeeds, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat in the senate could be declared vacant.
