INEC Chairman, 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially notified Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, of a petition filed by constituents seeking her recall from the National Assembly.

In a letter signed by Ruth Oriaran Anthony, Secretary to the Commission, INEC stated:

“Pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the senate.

The notification is in line with the provisions of clause 2 (a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.

This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the senate and simultaneously published on the commission’s website. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, in an official statement issued on Wednesday, INEC confirmed that it has now received updated contact details from representatives of the petitioners.

Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, also reiterated the next steps:

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency. This will be done in the coming days.

The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

The recall process follows a series of controversies surrounding the senator, including her recent suspension from the Senate for six months over an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding her seating arrangement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also recently accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

The petitioners behind the recall effort have cited “gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceitful behaviour” as their reasons.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied any wrongdoing, describing the move as a “coordinated suppression” of her voice.

Hon. Ray Ugwu, the member representing Enugu East Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has launched a free water distribution initiative to provide relief to his constituents facing acute water scarcity.

Through his “Hon. Ray Ugwu Free Water for All Intervention Scheme,” the lawmaker has been delivering potable water to various communities struggling with the impact of the dry season.

His intervention comes as residents grapple with limited access to clean water, a crisis that has worsened in recent weeks due to depleted sources and infrastructural challenges.

The Labour Party lawmaker expressed concern over the suffering of his people, stating that the initiative is a temporary measure to alleviate their hardship while urging relevant authorities to implement lasting solutions.

Speaking at one of the distribution points, Ugwu emphasized the importance of government and private sector collaboration in addressing the perennial water shortage affecting Enugu communities.

“I understand the struggles our people face daily in getting clean drinking water, and this initiative is my little way of easing their burden. However, we need sustainable solutions, and I urge both the state and local governments to prioritize water infrastructure development,” Ugwu said.

A constituent, Mr. Chukwudi Aneke expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.

Some beneficiaries, who spoke to DAILY GAZETTE, lauded Ugwu’s effort, calling on other public officeholders to emulate his gesture.

“This is a huge relief for us. For weeks, we have been buying water at exorbitant prices or trekking long distances to fetch from unreliable sources. Hon. Ugwu has shown true leadership by responding to our plight,” said Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke, a resident of Akpuoga Nike.

Hon. Ray Ugwu

Another beneficiary, Mr. John Eze, praised the lawmaker’s initiative and urged authorities to fix the underlying issues causing the water shortage.

“The government should find a permanent solution to this water problem. We appreciate Hon. Ugwu for stepping in, but we need a long-term fix,” he said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, stating that he has no regrets over not being chosen as his running mate in the 2023 election and vowing to oppose his future presidential ambitions.

Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike dismissed Atiku’s recent remarks about the vice-presidential selection process, insisting that he remains resolute in his stance against the former vice president.

Atiku, in an interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, had said he had “no regrets” over his decision to bypass Wike for the vice-presidential slot, instead opting for former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He explained that the choice was based on recommendations from a PDP committee.

“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate, so in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names,” Atiku stated.

According to him, the committee ranked Okowa as the preferred choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.

“So I picked number one,” Atiku added.

In reaction, Olayinka, posting on X, reiterated that Wike harbored no regrets over the decision, asserting that the former Rivers governor played a role in Atiku’s electoral defeat and would continue to ensure his failure in future contests.

“Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.

“Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again,” Olayinka wrote.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that the rift between Wike and Atiku dates back to the 2022 PDP primaries, where Wike, after losing the ticket, had expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot.

However, Atiku’s decision to choose Okowa deepened the division within the party, contributing to tensions that linger to date.

The video

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed uncertainty about his participation in the 2027 presidential election.

Despite being a recurring candidate in past elections, Atiku admitted that he is unsure whether he will run again.

Speaking during an interview on Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku acknowledged the need for a strong political platform before making any decision.

He stated, “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”

His remarks signal a shift from previous statements by his associates, who had suggested that he remained committed to contesting.

However, Atiku’s recent focus has been on forming a coalition of opposition leaders, aiming to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the next election cycle.

Reflecting on the country’s political landscape, Atiku emphasized the urgent need for experienced leadership.

“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time,” he said.

He recalled the 2014 opposition merger that led to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying, “We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won.”

Atiku also voiced concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, aligning with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s view that governance in the country is deteriorating.

“No doubt about that,” he remarked, describing the situation as “very dire.”

Expressing disappointment in the political class, he lamented the quality of governance at the state level.

“The next generation after me, many of them have been governors, have been senators. Instead of seeing an improvement in the level of governance at the state level, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed,” he stated.

Furthermore, Atiku criticized the National Assembly, particularly for its handling of the state of emergency in Rivers State, and questioned its integrity.

“I am not surprised,” he said, alleging corruption within the legislature.

His recent alliance with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other opposition figures has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the effectiveness of their efforts to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed calls for urgent restructuring in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a united political movement to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

Speaking at a coalition meeting in Yola, attended by members of various political parties, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed concerns over the country’s direction.

“We need a new movement we can use to correct things; if we do not act this time, our children will become slaves in their father’s land,” Atiku stated, stressing the urgency of collective action.

He also assured his supporters that he would soon clarify his political stance.

“It is not yet time for me to speak on the politics of the country, but very soon, I will break my silence on my political position and other things that are going on wrongly in the country,” he added.

The event’s convener, Senator Elijah Abbo, affirmed Atiku’s continued leadership, saying that regardless of party affiliation, “Atiku remained their political leader.”

Addressing a crowd in Adamawa, Atiku further underscored the importance of reclaiming Nigeria’s path to progress.

“The future of our nation depends on our ability to unite and take decisive steps towards real change. Nigeria deserves better leadership that is accountable, inclusive, and focused on the people’s needs rather than the political elite,” he said.

He commended Abbo for organizing the meeting and encouraged other political leaders to intensify efforts in mobilizing support ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement strongly criticized the Tinubu administration for what it described as a “growing descent into dictatorship.”

This follows a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who warned Peter Obi to “watch his mouth” after the former presidential candidate condemned the government’s authoritarian tendencies at Emeka Ihedioha’s 60th birthday colloquium.

In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Nana Kazaure, the movement denounced Onanuga’s remarks as a veiled threat.

It also questioned whether the administration had “sinister plans against opposition voices.”

The group accused the government of focusing more on “suppressing dissent than addressing the economic and security crises facing the nation.”

It warned that any harm to Obi, his family, or associates would be blamed on those issuing such threats.

“The tendency for the Tinubu administration to play the ostrich has become one of its defining characteristics,” the statement read, urging Nigerians and the international community to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable.

Meanwhile, Minister of Works David Umahi has urged South East governors to rally behind Tinubu in the 2027 election as a sign of appreciation for his administration’s support for the region’s infrastructure.

Speaking at the flag-off for the Second Niger Bridge, which will link Delta and Anambra states, Umahi praised Tinubu’s commitment to South East development.

He highlighted ongoing projects and emphasized the region’s reintegration into national politics.

“We owe Tinubu three things. One is to pray for him and his government. As you are praying for him, you also pray for the governor. If you pray six days, the seventh day, you join me, you add me in the prayer,” Umahi stated.

He also called for unwavering support for the President, urging Ndigbo to distance themselves from dissenting voices.

“The second one is to support him. If our disgruntled brothers are criticising, we must say no, they don’t represent us. I thank Ndigbo; when there was a demonstration, the last one, the entire Igbo, whether in Nigeria or outside, said no. We didn’t demonstrate again. We have woken up to support the central government, and we have been reintegrated into the central government, and we are benefiting,” he added.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that he has “no regrets” over his decision to overlook Nyesom Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku, who lost the election to President Bola Tinubu, made this revelation during an interview for Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie

The friction between Atiku and Wike dates back to the contentious PDP primaries of 2022, where Wike, then the governor of Rivers State, aggressively pursued the party’s ticket but was defeated by Atiku.

Following his loss, Wike anticipated being chosen as Atiku’s running mate.

However, Atiku opted for former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa instead, a decision widely believed to have deepened internal divisions within the PDP.

Many party insiders have accused Wike of working against Atiku’s campaign in 2023, pointing to his open alignment with the ruling APC and his eventual appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Tinubu’s government.

Addressing his choice of Okowa over Wike, Atiku explained that he intentionally left the decision to the PDP leadership.

“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate,” Atiku said.

“So in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names.”

According to Atiku, the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.

“So I picked number one,” he stated matter-of-factly.

When asked whether he regretted the decision, Atiku remained firm.

“No, not at all,” he responded.