Allegations of procedural delays have surfaced as the legal representatives of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker for Kogi Central Senatorial District, accuse the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to promptly serve a recall petition against their client.
In a formal complaint to the INEC Chairman, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, led by Adanu Emmanuel Ogwiji of J.S. Okutepa SAN & Co., highlighted concerns over the commission’s reluctance to provide the necessary petition documents despite repeated requests.
A letter dated March 28 reiterated earlier appeals made on March 24 and March 25, emphasizing that the senator is entitled to a fair hearing as mandated by the Nigerian Constitution. The legal team urged INEC to act in accordance with due process by providing the recall petition and its supporting documentation without further delay.
Referencing a precedent-setting case, Senator Dino Melaye & 7 Ors. vs. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors. (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/567/2017), the lawyers underscored that the Federal High Court had ruled that a lawmaker facing recall must be served with the petition and a complete list of signatories before the process can proceed.
The legal representatives voiced concerns that INEC claimed to have received the required recall details, that failure to release the documents could erode public trust in the commission’s neutrality and transparency. They cautioned that withholding such information fosters suspicion and undermines democratic principles.
In their latest correspondence, the lawyers set a 24-hour deadline for INEC to comply, warning that failure to do so would result in legal consequences. They further suggested that external influences might be manipulating the commission to hinder the senator’s ability to respond effectively to the recall process.
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Stressing the importance of legal compliance, the legal team emphasized that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, as an elected member of the 10th National Assembly, has an undisputed right to be served with all recall-related documents. They warned that any deviation from this legal requirement would be tantamount to a violation of fundamental democratic rights.
Beyond the legal battle, this recall process has intensified political discourse in Kogi State, where Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been a significant figure since her election in 2023. The unfolding situation has raised broader concerns regarding the transparency of Nigeria’s electoral system, with analysts questioning whether democratic institutions are being used as tools for political maneuvering.
