INEC Rejects Petition to Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

Petition Falls Short of Constitutional Requirements

Electoral Body Cites Section 69(a) Non-Compliance

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking to recall the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a statement released on Thursday, INEC declared that the petition failed to satisfy the legal requirements for recalling a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Petition Submitted at INEC Headquarters

The recall effort formally began on Monday, when constituents of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the petition at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja. The document was received by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission.

According to the petitioners, over 250,000 constituents signed in support of the recall, representing more than half of the 480,000 registered voters in Kogi Central. The petition, titled: ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’, cited allegations of misconduct and a breach of Senate rules as reasons for the demand.

INEC Rules Petition Invalid

However, after reviewing the submission, INEC ruled it ineligible, stating that it did not meet the constitutional threshold required for a senatorial recall.

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing 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’s statement read.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended from the Senate over allegations of violating parliamentary procedures.

What Next?

With INEC’s decision, the recall effort has hit a legal dead end, unless the petitioners restructure their submission to align with constitutional provisions.