Embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has claimed that those, who recently petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for her recall are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ekwutosblog reports that the suspended lawmaker, who was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is being recalled by her constituents.

INEC recently acknowledged the receipt of the petition but pointed out some missing information about the petitioners.

In a subsequent statement, the electoral umpire said the missing information which includes addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners have been received.

Addressing a mammoth crowd, who gave her a rousing welcome during her homecoming on Tuesday, the lawmaker accused INEC of aiding and guiding the petitioners to enable them to perfect their “illicit acts”.

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.”

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has arrested six commissioners over alleged involvement in breach of a contract for the construction of 140 housing units for Izzo and Amaze communities.

The arrested commissioners are Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health) and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring).

The Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwachi, was also suspended.

It was gathered that the affected commissioners before their arrest, were declared wanted by the state government.

The governor, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki through the Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Ilang Donatus, said the government felt that the affected commissioners and contractors have breached the terms and conditions of the contract given to them by the government.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the affected commissioners and the contractors were accused of sabotaging the plan of the governor, Francis Nwifuru, to commission the housing units to mark his two years anniversary in the state.

“The governor is not happy over the pace of the work which ought to have been completed. The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners who were mandated to supervise those projects.

“As you can see, our governor is a man with a passionate heart, he likes giving succour, hence the building of those houses for the victims of the communal crisis.

“He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered the arrest of all the commissioners who were supposed to ensure the speedy completion of the housing units,” Donatus said.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Ebonyi Central, Mrs Maria Okohu who is member of the Executive Council Committee, said that non-completion of the projects by the contractors and the failure of some of the commissioners to strictly supervise them as directed by the government is an act of sabotage.

The governor, through the vommittee, insisted that the arrests will continue until all the commissioners and contractors involved are brought to book and as well do the needful.

It was gathered that the Nigeria Police has equally issued invitation letters to some of the fleeing commissioners and contractors who where not at home at the time the committee visited.

In a move aimed at consolidating the gains made in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap’s tenure as Comptroller-General through December 31, 2026.

Ekwutosblog gathered that Mrs. Nandap, who began her career in the NIS on October 9, 1989, was appointed Comptroller-General by President Tinubu on March 1, 2024, with an initial tenure set to end on August 31, 2025. Under her leadership, the NIS has witnessed significant advancements in border management, modernization of immigration processes, and national security measures.

President Tinubu commended Mrs. Nandap for her exemplary leadership and urged her to continue dedicating herself to the Service’s strategic priorities, which align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NIS in fulfilling its mandate to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and promote safe, legal, and orderly migration.