The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified procedural deficiencies in the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that it does not meet the required submission criteria.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 25, 2025, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, clarified that the commission remains committed to due process and will take further steps only if the petitioners rectify the outlined shortcomings.
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“The petition submitted for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents, reportedly containing signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in five Local Government Areas. However, the petitioners failed to provide a complete contact address, email, and multiple telephone numbers as required by Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024,” Olumekun stated.
He emphasized that a legislator’s recall is a constitutional right of constituents, provided the process adheres to the legal framework. Upon meeting the stipulated requirements, INEC will proceed with signature verification using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open and transparent manner, allowing observers and media participation.
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Meanwhile, in a separate legal development, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja recused himself from a related suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suit aims to halt disciplinary proceedings against her by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Justice Egwuatu cited allegations of bias raised by Akpabio as the reason for stepping down from the case. Consequently, the matter has been transferred to the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, for reassignment.
With these unfolding events, the controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall continues to draw national attention, setting the stage for further legal and electoral developments.
