The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday, raised concerns over the petition for the recall of the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC acknowledged receiving the petition, which includes six bags of documents that are said to contain signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, INEC noted that the petitioners did not give the requisite contact information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required by the Commission’s Recall 2024 Regulations and Guidelines.
Charity Ijese presented the petition on behalf of the residents, which was received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday. The petition lacked clear contact information for the representatives, with only the lead petitioner’s phone number provided.
Furthermore, INEC stated that the petition includes voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—representing 902 voting units across 57 registration areas.
However, the panel chastised the petitioners for supplying an ambiguous address—only “Okene, Kogi State”—that did not fulfil the qualifications established in the agency’s regulations.
The statement read in part, “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 process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and 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 (wards) 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 e-mail 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.”
The commission highlighted that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and INEC’s own thorough instructions and that if the petition meets all legal conditions, INEC would begin the verification of signatures in an open process at each polling unit.
It stated that verification will be limited to registered voters who signed the petition and that both the petitioners and the senator under recall will be able to appoint agents to oversee the process.
Signature verification will take place utilising the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, and journalists and other observers will be accredited.
Olumekun explained, “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.
“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 promised the public that the recall procedure will be carried out in accordance with the law, provided the petitioners followed all relevant standards.
However, given the absence of complete contact information, the commission is looking into alternate ways to notify the petition representatives.
INEC also advised the public to dismiss any rumours or speculations circulating on social media and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the process is carried out in accordance with the legal framework.
“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 a series of contentious incidents involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” sought her removal based on allegations of egregious misconduct, misuse of power, and a pattern of lying.
