By Prosper Mene
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially rejected a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing its failure to meet constitutional requirements.
In a statement released on Thursday, INEC disclosed that the petition, submitted by some constituents of Kogi Central, did not satisfy Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
This section mandates that a recall petition must be supported by signatures from more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. With Kogi Central having 474,554 registered voters, the petition required at least 237,278 valid signatures to proceed. However, after a thorough verification process, INEC confirmed only 208,132 signatures, equating to 43.86%—falling short by 29,146 signatures.
“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. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the matter,” INEC stated via its official X account, @INECNigeria.
The recall effort stemmed from controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Some constituents, citing her suspension and dissatisfaction with her conduct, initiated the recall process, submitting the petition to INEC on March 24. The commission had initially acknowledged receipt of the petition, accompanied by six bags of documents purportedly containing over 250,000 signatures.
Despite the petitioners’ claims, INEC’s verification revealed discrepancies, including the cancellation of approximately 35,000 signatures during the administrative review. The constituents, led by spokesperson Salihu Habib, expressed frustration but vowed to persist, asserting that the validated 43.86% still reflected widespread discontent with the senator. “We will liaise with INEC within the full ambit of the constitution to demand transparency,” Habib said in a statement, hinting at potential further action.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, celebrated the decision as a victory for democracy. In a post on Social Media, she praised INEC, stating, “INEC Nigeria, you did well. Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan Proudly Kogi Central.” In a subsequent statement, she took a swipe at her detractors, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, claiming, “God has put to shame anti-democratic forces plotting my recall, including one of the most wanted persons by the EFCC.”
INEC emphasized that the review adhered to its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, ensuring fairness and due process. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, defended the commission’s impartiality on Channels Television’s Politics Today, dismissing allegations of bias. “The petitioners failed to meet legal requirements. There’s no partisanship here,” he said.
The rejection marks the end of this recall attempt, though questions linger about whether the process could be reinitiated. Oyekanmi noted that the law does not explicitly limit repeat petitions, leaving room for speculation about future political maneuvers in Kogi Central.
