The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday raised concerns over the petition seeking the recall of suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
In a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC confirmed receiving the petition, which was submitted with six bags of documents allegedly containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the commission pointed out that the petitioners failed to provide essential contact details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required by the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The petition, presented by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents and received by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony on Monday, was found to lack clear contact details for the representatives, with only the lead petitioner’s phone number provided.
INEC noted that the petition covered voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—spanning 902 polling units across 57 registration areas. However, the commission criticized the petitioners for providing a vague address, simply stating “Okene, Kogi State,” which does not meet the specified standards.
“The commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District,” the statement read in part.
“The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, as well as the commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 polling units in 57 registration areas in the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
“The commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s), and email address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted, as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines.
“The address given is ‘Okene, Kogi State,’ which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of ‘the lead petitioner’ is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.”
INEC reiterated that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the commission’s regulations. Once the petition meets all legal requirements, INEC will initiate a signature verification process at each polling unit.
Verification will be restricted to registered voters who signed the petition, and both the petitioners and the senator facing recall will be allowed to nominate agents to observe the process. The verification will be conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, with accredited media and observers also in attendance.
“The commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them,” Olumekun said.
“Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each polling unit in an open process restricted to registered voters who signed the petition only.
“The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each polling unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”
INEC assured the public that the recall process would proceed in accordance with the law, provided the petitioners fulfill all necessary guidelines. However, in the absence of complete contact information, the commission is exploring alternative methods to notify the petition representatives.
“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations, and guidelines.
“In the absence of a definite contact address, the commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.
“The commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should therefore discountenance any speculations and insinuations in the social media,” the statement concluded.
The recall petition follows several controversies surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” calls for her removal based on allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceit.
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