The political battle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has taken a dramatic turn, with the senator accusing Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating a fraudulent recall process against her.
On the 1st of April, 2025, despite a government-imposed ban on rallies, the streets of Ihima, Okehi LGA, were flooded with enthusiastic supporters from Kogi Central’s five local government areas, eager to welcome their PDP senator.
The overwhelming turnout was a bold statement of defiance against what many see as an attempt to silence her.
By the 2nd of April, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan issued a statement daring Bello to reveal the origins of the so-called constituents behind the recall effort.
She declared: “All available evidence and facts point directly to Bello as the mastermind behind the recall move.”
The senator did not hold back, reminding the public of Bello’s history of alleged political intimidation during the 2023 elections, where she claims he orchestrated multiple attacks against her. In her view, the recall attempt is nothing more than an extension of his political vendetta.
She continued: “I will advise the former governor to rather focus on clearing his name over allegations of fraudulent diversion of N89.2 billion, instead of attempting to destabilize the mandate given to me by the people of Kogi Central.”
Unfazed by the recall threat, Akpoti-Uduaghan doubled down, calling out Bello’s alleged pattern of political interference.
“The former governor’s hands are already full with corruption allegations, yet he is still bent on frustrating the will of the people. His actions before and during the last general elections, where he sponsored numerous attacks against me, are well documented. This recall attempt is nothing but another ploy to undermine the people’s will.”
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Tuesday’s massive turnout proved to the world that the senator’s popularity remains unshaken.
“It is now very clear to the whole world how popular I am in my constituency. The powers that be did try to suppress the will of the people but my people emphatically said no. No to injustice, no to exploitation of women, no to fake recall, no to Yahaya Bello and his allies.”
The senator expressed gratitude to her supporters for standing firm against intimidation.
“They (My people) came out en masse to resist government intimidation. We thank them for the massive show of love. We also thank our oppressors because their actions have now made them more unpopular while we gained more support.”
Ending on a note of resolve, Akpoti-Uduaghan assured her constituents that she remains committed to their cause.
“As for me, I will do more for my people. I will not betray them. I will continue to give my best and they should be rest assured of our best representation all the time.”