The suspended lawmaker, elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was the subject of a petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking her recall by her constituents.
INEC had acknowledged receiving the petition but flagged certain missing details, including the petitioners’ addresses and phone numbers.
However, the electoral body later confirmed it had received the required information to move forward with the process.
During a vibrant homecoming celebration on Tuesday, where she was warmly welcomed by a large crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed her supporters, accusing the electoral commission of complicity in the recall effort.
She claimed that INEC had been assisting the petitioners in perfecting what she described as an “illicit act,” further fueling suspicions of political manipulation.
She said, “From my personal perspective, what I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts.
“The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have address, phone numbers and all of that but INEC is out to guide them how to submit information that will perfect the petition.
“The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, now submitted a letterhead with an address that does not exist.”
