Concerns have been raised over the recent petition seeking the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) highlighted irregularities in the petition, which was submitted on Monday.
In an official statement signed by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the electoral body confirmed receipt of six bags of documents containing signatures purportedly representing over half of the 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district. However, INEC noted that the petition did not comply with its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall due to the absence of sufficient contact details from the petitioners.
The petition, submitted by Charity Ijese and received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, included a phone number for the lead petitioner. However, it lacked critical information such as addresses, telephone numbers, and email contacts for other representatives. INEC also highlighted that the petition spanned five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—covering 902 polling units across 57 registration areas.
A key deficiency identified by the commission was the inadequate address provided by the petitioners, which was simply listed as “Okene, Kogi State.” INEC emphasized that this does not satisfy the standard requirements for official communication as outlined in its regulations.
Providing further clarification, the commission stated, “During its routine weekly meeting on Tuesday, 25th March 2025, INEC reviewed the recall petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District. The recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and our 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, all of which must be strictly followed.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) assured that if the petition meets all necessary legal requirements, it will initiate the process of signature verification, ensuring transparency at every polling unit. Only registered voters who signed the petition will be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and both the petitioners and the senator will be allowed to appoint agents to observe the process. Accredited media personnel and independent observers will also be permitted to monitor the proceedings.
Reiterating the importance of due process, Olumekun stated, “A recall is solely the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who express their loss of confidence in their representative. Once a petition meets the required submission criteria, the commission will proceed with verification in an open and transparent manner.”
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INEC further stressed that unless the petitioners provide the necessary contact details in accordance with Clause 1(f) of its guidelines, the next steps in the recall process cannot be announced. The commission is also considering alternative means to establish contact with the petitioners’ representatives.
Addressing growing speculations on social media, the commission urged the public to rely on verified information. INEC reaffirmed that the recall process would proceed only in strict compliance with the law, ensuring fairness and integrity at every stage.
