Constituents of Edo South Senatorial District demand the recall of Senator Neda Imasuen over allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and betrayal of trust

Constituents of Edo South Senatorial District have given a 14-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Senate, and anti-corruption agencies, demanding immediate action on a petition calling for the recall of Senator Neda Imasuen.

The petition, issued on Friday, alleges a catalogue of misconduct by Imasuen, including corruption, abuse of office, and betrayal of public trust.

Representatives of five out of the seven local government areas in the district made the announcement during a press briefing in Benin City, Edo State.

They outlined a series of accusations against the Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, with constituents expressing their loss of confidence in his leadership.

The petitioners allege that Senator Imasuen, who is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, has failed to fulfil his duties to his constituency.

Among the charges against him is the claim that he has not initiated or completed any constituency projects within his district. Furthermore, the representatives contend that Imasuen has distanced himself from the people he was elected to serve.

A particularly troubling aspect of the allegations is the claim that Imasuen should be prosecuted over an alleged disbarment by the New York State Supreme Court in 2010, which is said to raise concerns regarding his integrity.

Given the international scope of the accusations, the group has called for INTERPOL’s cooperation to facilitate a thorough, independent, and global investigation.

The controversy surrounding Imasuen has intensified due to his involvement in the ongoing sexual harassment petition filed by suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The petitioners have suggested that Imasuen’s actions in the Senate may not reflect the ethical standards required for his role, particularly given his leadership position in the Senate Committee on Ethics.

In response to the accusations, Senator Imasuen has dismissed the claims as politically motivated. He has suggested that the individuals leading the recall petition were recently invited to Kogi State, implying that they are being paid to launch a smear campaign against him.

Imasuen further expressed disbelief that such actions would be taken by people with close ties to the region, calling the move an unjust attempt to undermine his reputation.

“I don’t see why someone is being paid to throw stones at his father’s house,” Imasuen stated, defending his position against the accusations.

The constituents, led by Kola Edokpayi (Oredo), Caesar Garrick (Ikpoba-Okha), Aghatise Raphael (Ovia South West), Ogbu David (Uhunwode), Okorie Kingsley (Ovia North East), and Hanson Orako (Egor), have made it clear that they are seeking credible, accountable, and transparent leadership from their representatives.

With their demands now in the public domain, the pressure on INEC, the Nigerian Senate, and anti-corruption bodies to address the petition is mounting.