The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements.
In a brief statement released on Thursday, INEC clarified that the petition failed to fulfill the provisions outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“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 stated on its X handle.
An updated statement from INEC further explained that Section 69(a) mandates that a petition to recall a senator must be supported by signatures from more than half of the registered voters in the senator’s constituency.
“The total number of registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this number (i.e., 50%+1) is 237,278 voters,” INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated.
He continued, “Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission verified 208,132 signatures/thumbprints submitted by the petitioners.”
This development follows the electoral body’s earlier rejection of the petition due to missing contact details, which were later provided by the petitioners. However, INEC confirmed on Thursday that the petition still did not meet all necessary constitutional requirements for the recall of Senator Natasha.
“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” Olumekun concluded.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had been suspended by the Senate for breaching its rules, prompting some of her constituents to seek her recall. They argued that her suspension left the constituency without adequate representation.
In recent months, the senator has made headlines following her accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claims which he has denied. Her suspension followed allegations of misconduct in violation of Senate rules.
Despite the Kogi State Government’s ban on rallies and public gatherings, Natasha received a warm reception from her constituents on Tuesday in Okehi Local Government Area, where she proclaimed, “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land.”
