In a significant political development, constituents from the Edo South Senatorial District, alongside members of the Human Rights Community, announced on Friday their intention to initiate a recall of Senator Neda Imasuen.
This move comes in response to serious allegations of corruption, misuse of office, and a perceived betrayal of public trust.
During a press briefing held in Benin, representatives from five out of the seven local governments in the district expressed their dissatisfaction with the Labour Party senator’s performance.
They also called for his prosecution related to his alleged disbarment by the New York State Supreme Court in 2010. The group emphasised the need for international cooperation, stating, “Given the international nature of these allegations, INTERPOL’s cooperation is necessary to ensure a thorough, independent and global investigation.”
The representatives, including Kola Edokpayi (Oredo), Caesar Garrick (Ikpoba-Okha), Aghatise Raphael (Ovia South West), Ogbu David (Uhunwode), Okorie Kingsley (Ovia North East), and Hanson Orako (Egor), articulated their demands for credible, accountable, and transparent leadership.
They accused Senator Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, of failing to deliver any constituency projects and distancing himself from the needs of his constituents.
In response to these allegations, Imasuen dismissed the claims as politically motivated, asserting that the individuals behind the recall effort had recently been in Kogi State, implying they were being funded to undermine him.
“They are doing a hatchet job because they are being paid from Kogi. I don’t see why someone is being paid to throw stones at his father’s house,” he stated.
Imasuen’s position has become particularly contentious due to the ongoing controversy surrounding a sexual harassment petition filed by suspended Kogi State Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As the situation unfolds, the constituents have issued a 14-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Senate, and anti-corruption agencies, urging them to take prompt action on their petition.
