NIGERIA: The Petition For Natasha’s Recall Falls Short Of Requirements – INEC

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that the petition filed to the commission for the recall of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, has not met the requirements.

INEC made the announcement on Thursday via its official Facebook page, saying: “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

INEC in March, received the petition filed by the Kogi Central constituents to have the Senator representing the constituency at the red chamber, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan recalled.

The petition submitted to INEC in Lokoja said: “We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.

“In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), as well as INEC’S Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.

“Kindly recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged as our Senator by verdict of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 which affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as winner of the February 25, 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial election.

“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central constituency but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.

“By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than one-half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”

Meanwhile, African Culture TV reported on Wednesday last week, that the recall process of Akpoti-Uduaghan, commenced, with reports indicating that the exercise was gaining momentum in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.

One of her constituents, Nuhu Usman, took to Facebook on Wednesday, sharing images of people gathered at a polling unit in Okehi.

“The recall exercise of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from various wards is successful in Okehi Local Government of Kogi State.

“The good people of Okehi LGA have spoken,” Nuhu wrote.

The recall process follows a series of political battles between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which led to her recent suspension from the Senate.

The Kogi Central senator had been at loggerheads with Akpabio over allegations of injustice and exclusion in the Senate. She accused the Senate leadership of sidelining her in committee appointments and attempting to silence opposition voices.

Her troubles escalated when she openly challenged Akpabio on the Senate floor over issues relating to the change of seating arrangement at the senate.

This confrontation led to her suspension in March 2025, on allegations of misconduct and breach of Senate rules.

Despite the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained politically active. In a bold move, she attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, where she raised concerns about legislative independence and the alleged suppression of dissenting voices in Nigeria’s Senate.

Her appearance at the international forum sparked further controversy, with some seeing it as an act of defiance against Akpabio’s leadership.

Under the Nigerian Constitution, a senator can be recalled if at least 50% of registered voters in the senatorial district sign a petition. INEC must then verify the signatures before conducting a referendum.