In a dramatic turn of events, constituents from Edo South Senatorial District have initiated the recall of their senator, Neda Imasuen, over serious allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and betrayal of public trust. The Human Rights Community, along with local representatives from five out of the seven local governments in the district, voiced their dissatisfaction with the senator’s performance and conduct.
At a press conference held in Benin, the group accused Senator Imasuen, who represents the Labour Party, of failing to deliver on his duties, particularly in the area of constituency development. They also alleged that he had no visible constituency projects and had distanced himself from the people he was elected to serve. This, they argue, has led to a loss of confidence in his leadership.
The group further demanded that Imasuen be prosecuted for his alleged disbarment by the New York State Supreme Court in 2010, calling for a global investigation with the involvement of INTERPOL due to the international nature of the allegations. The representatives of the local governments—Kola Edokpayi (Oredo), Caesar Garrick (Ikpoba-Okha), Aghatise Raphael (Ovia South West), Ogbu David (Uhunwode), Okorie Kingsley (Ovia North East), and Hanson Orako (Egor)—called for action from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Senate, and anti-graft agencies, issuing a 14-day notice for them to address their petition.
In response to the accusations, Senator Imasuen dismissed the allegations, claiming that the individuals behind the recall effort had recently been invited to Kogi State and were being paid to target him. He labeled the move a “hatchet job” and stated, “I don’t see why someone is being paid to throw stones at his father’s house.”
The controversy surrounding Senator Imasuen, who is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, has escalated amid the sexual harassment petition filed by suspended Kogi State Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As the battle intensifies, the future of Senator Imasuen’s tenure now hangs in the balance, with his constituents demanding accountability and action.
