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Group Blows Whistle on Fraud in Failed Plot to Recall Senator Natasha
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has raised serious alarm over what it alleges to be a fraudulent use of voters’ personal data in the recently failed attempt to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central.
At a press briefing in Abuja, TMG Chairman Auwal Rafsanjani called on the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to launch an immediate probe into how personal details of constituents may have been illegally gathered and misused—without their consent—to generate fake signatures supporting the recall petition.
“This isn’t just a data breach,” Rafsanjani warned, “it’s a violation of citizens’ trust and a direct attack on our democracy.” He emphasized that such misuse of private information flouts the Data Protection Act and must not go unpunished.
His statement follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) recent dismissal of the recall petition after finding that only 208,132 signatures were valid—falling short of the 237,278 required by law.
However, Rafsanjani questioned how such a large number of signatories—over half of the registered voters in Kogi Central—could be gathered so quickly in a country where voter apathy is the norm. He called for forensic analysis of all submitted Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) using BVAS to uncover any manipulation.
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He also criticized the broader political motivations behind the recall effort, describing it as a “charade” orchestrated by vested interests. Rafsanjani didn’t mince words when he took a swipe at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of bias for presiding over proceedings involving a senator with whom he’s had public friction.
“The recall provision in our constitution is not a political weapon. It must never be used to suppress dissent or bully elected representatives,” Rafsanjani declared.
He also highlighted concerns that the attempted recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was less about accountability and more about silencing one of the few women in the 10th Senate, especially amid existing allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power linked to Senate leadership.
TMG is demanding a full-scale investigation—not just into the data misuse but also into the broader allegations against Akpabio, insisting that such serious claims must not be swept under the rug.
“The Senate must stop appearing as a misogynistic institution,” Rafsanjani concluded, “and instead respect the rights of all elected officials—especially those who represent marginalized voices.”