Plot to replace Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with Yahaya Bello

By The Insight Team

There is a coordinated effort by certain political figures in Kogi State to unseat Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central )and replace her with former Governor Yahaya Bello, The Insight has learnt.

Reports circulating suggest that some constituents from Kogi Central have begun a recall process against Natasha.

This development follows the recent suspension of Natasha after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio has vehemently denied.

On February 28, 2025, Natasha appeared on Arise TV’s ‘Morning Show’ and publicly accused Akpabio of making unwelcome advances, alleging that her refusal led to political repercussions, including the obstruction of her legislative motions.

She stated, “My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Photo credit: online 

In response, the Senate’s Ethics Committee dismissed her allegations, citing procedural violations. Subsequently, on March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Natasha for six months, attributing the decision to disciplinary issues unrelated to her harassment claims. The suspension has been met with public outcry, with women’s rights groups organizing protests under the banner “We Are All Natasha.”

The Senate suspended Natasha for six months, attributing the decision to disciplinary issues unrelated to her harassment claims.

Sources indicate that certain stakeholders in the North Central region, allegedly collaborating with former Governor Yahaya Bello and high-ranking officials of the Kogi State government, have initiated a campaign to collect signatures from constituents in Kogi Central. The objective appears to be to trigger a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, potentially leading to a by-election in which Bello could vie for the Senate seat.

The political landscape in Kogi State has been marked by longstanding tensions between Natasha and former Governor Bello. Their rivalry dates back to previous electoral contests, where both sought prominent political positions within the state. This history of political friction adds complexity to the current recall efforts.

Complicating the scenario are the legal challenges facing Yahaya Bello. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Bello on 19 counts of alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion. One of the charges alleges that Bello conspired to convert the said sum, purported to be proceeds of unlawful activities, specifically criminal breach of trust. Bello has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail set at N500 million.

Despite these legal troubles, Bello’s potential Senate bid may not be hindered, as precedent in Nigeria shows that several ex-governors accused of corruption have successfully transitioned to legislative roles.

Some senators who are former governors corruption cases with the EFCC.

Godswill Akpabio served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015. Post-governorship, he faced allegations of diverting over N100 billion from the state treasury and awarding contracts to cronies. Despite these allegations, Akpabio was elected as a Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019. He later became the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and, in June 2023, was elected as the Senate President.

Theodore Orji governed Abia State from 2007 to 2015.

In 2018, he was invited by the EFCC over allegations of mismanaging about N27 billion during his tenure. Despite these allegations, Orji was elected as a Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.

Aliyu Wammako served as Governor of Sokoto State from 2007 to 2015. He was alleged by the EFCC to have embezzled N15 billion while in office. Nonetheless, Wammako was elected as a Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District in 2015 and continues to serve in that capacity.

The cases of Akpabio, Orji, Wammako, and Al-Makura illustrate that allegations of corruption have not necessarily barred Nigerian politicians from securing Senate seats

Tanko Al-Makura was the Governor of Nasarawa State from 2011 to 2019. In July 2022, he and his wife were arrested by the EFCC over allegations of suspicious transactions amounting to billions of naira during his tenure . Despite these allegations, Al-Makura was elected as a Senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District in 2019.

Kogi’s political future

The cases of Akpabio, Orji, Wammako, and Al-Makura illustrate that allegations of corruption have not necessarily barred Nigerian politicians from securing Senate seats. This precedent suggests that despite the corruption allegations against Yahaya Bello, they may not impede his potential bid for the Senate seat currently held by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The political dynamics in Kogi State remain tense, with the potential recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the prospective candidacy of Yahaya Bello poised to significantly impact the region’s representation in the Senate.