Women group operating under the aegis of Kogi Central Women Development Association, KCWDA said, it backed the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing the Central District in the Senate.

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Speaking at a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday, the leader of the group, Dr. E. Sandra lamented that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan misbehavior in the upper legislative chamber will cast aspersion on the credibility of female politicians in the region.

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She expressed concern that Senator Natasha could not produce any concrete evidence of her claim of sexual harassment against the Senate President, thereby raising the issue of blackmail and ill-motives.

She said, “A primary focus of the KCWDA’s criticism is the senator’s decision to take an arm of the Nigerian government before the United Nations.”

The group argued that such a move not only diminishes her authority as a sit¬ting senator but also projects an image of self-superiority, suggesting that she per-ceives herself as unequal to her colleagues in the Senate.

KCWDA condemned the senator’s appearance before the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which they claimed embarrassed the National Assembly and damaged Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.

The association further took issue with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s focus on portraying herself as a victim of sexu¬al harassment, arguing that this has distracted from her responsibilities to represent the people of Kogi Central.

The group insisted that the senator failed to address the critical issues affecting her constituents, instead opting for a narrative of victimhood.

A particularly conten¬tious point raised by the KCWDA is Akpoti-Udu¬aghan’s refusal to apologise to Senate President Akpabio following a dispute that led to her six-month suspension.

KCWDA maintained that her suspension deprived the people of Kogi Central of proper representation during a crucial time.

While expressing its con¬cerns, KCWDA announced that it’ll initiate the process of recalling Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding a public apology from the sen¬ator, as well as the election of a new representative who it described as “people-cen¬tric, law-abiding, and drama-free.”

Dr. Sandra, while lament¬ing that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s success was once seen as a breakthrough for women in the region, however, noted that the senator has squan¬dered the opportunity by diverting attention from pressing issues to focus on her own alleged victimisation.

Acknowledging that the KCWDA is not in a position to determine the veracity of the sexual harassment alle¬gations, Dr. Sandra emphasised that the senator must present concrete evidence to support her claims before she can expect the group’s backing.

As the dispute contin¬ues to unfold, the future of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains uncertain, with the KCWDA pushing for a change in leadership that better serves the interests of Kogi Central.

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Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Chelsea to move 12 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

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Both of these sides came into the match without their first-choice striker, with Kai Havertz ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury for Arsenal and Nicolas Jackson missing for Chelsea.

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Chelsea were also without their most important player in Cole Palmer, who was out of the squad with an injury, and it was the first time the Blues have to had to play without him since they lost 5-0 to Arsenal in April last season.
Arsenal, again naming Merino as a makeshift striker, dominated the game early on and Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice all went close.

Merino’s winner came in the 20th minute when he flicked on a curling corner from Martin Odegaard past a stretching Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea’s best opportunity to take something from the game came when Marc Cucurella’s powerful effort slipped through David Raya’s hands but the ball rolled just past the post.

Robert Sanchez, recently restored as Chelsea’s first-choice keeper, had some shaky moments as the Blues were put under pressure with a number of crosses into the area and he was jeered by the home crowd when he had the ball at his feet.

Sanchez produced an excellent save to deny Merino in the second half, but Chelsea could not find the goal to get something from the game.

Liverpool are not playing in the league this weekend as they are involved in the Carabao Cup final.

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Tijjani Reijnders saved AC Milan’s skin in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Serie A upstarts Como, who gave Dele Alli his debut from the bench only for the former England international to be sent off moments later.

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Netherlands midfielder Reijnders struck in the 76th minute after a brilliant Tammy Abraham pass as Milan came from behind to placate angry home fans and move up to seventh in Italy’s top flight.

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Sergio Conceicao’s side are three points from the European places in large thanks to Reijnders who also slipped in Christian Pulisic to level the scores seven minutes after the break.

The 26-year-old also hit the bar shortly before rolling home his 13th goal of the season in all competitions, and also went close to netting again with five minutes remaining.

His performance saved his teammates from a severe barracking at the end of the match as they were loudly booed and whistled off the pitch at half-time with Milan trailing to Lucas Da Cunha’s 33rd-minute strike.

Regardless supporters continued to demand that owners, US investment firm RedBird, sell the club as they have at all recent matches.

Defeat was harsh on Como who performed well on one of football’s biggest stages and stay safely nestled in 13th place, seven points above the relegation zone.

The evening ended in the worst possible way for the lakeside club when late substitute Dele, who is trying to revive his career after a troubled few years since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, was shown a straight red card in the final minute for a rash challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Coach Cesc Fabregas also saw red for dissent shortly afterwards as Como make the short trip back from Milan with nothing from another creditable display against more illustrious opposition.

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