NIGERIA: INEC Flags Incomplete Contact Details In Natasha’s Recall Petition

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the lack of a clear contact address in the petition seeking to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The commission stated that the petitioners failed to provide a definite location, multiple phone numbers, and email addresses as required by its regulations.

In a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, released on Tuesday, INEC noted that while the petition was accompanied by six bags of documents containing signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district, the covering letter only listed “Okene, Kogi State” as the contact address, which the commission deemed insufficient for official communication.

Furthermore, only one phone number belonging to the lead petitioner was provided instead of multiple contact details from all representatives, as stipulated by Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Recall Guidelines.

INEC emphasized that the recall process, which is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Recall Guidelines, remains the exclusive right of registered voters.

It assured that if the petition meets all submission requirements, it will proceed with the verification of signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) at polling units, with observers and media accredited to monitor the process.

The commission urged the petitioners to fully comply with the regulations to enable further action.

Meanwhile, it has begun alternative efforts to reach them regarding the missing details.

INEC also dismissed social media speculations about the process, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and adherence to legal procedures.