The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concerns regarding the validity of the recall petition for suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central. In a statement issued on Tuesday, INEC highlighted that the petition, which reportedly includes over half of the signatures from the district’s registered voters, lacks essential contact details.
The petition was submitted on behalf of constituents by Charity Ijese and included six bags of documents. However, INEC noted that the petitioners failed to provide necessary contact information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required by the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
While the petition claims to represent voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—INEC criticized the vague address provided, simply stating “Okene, Kogi State,” which is insufficient for contact purposes. Only the lead petitioner’s phone number was included, lacking details for other representatives.
The commission reaffirmed that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. It stated that if the petition meets all legal requirements, INEC will initiate verification of signatures in an open process at each polling unit, allowing both the petitioners and the senator in question to nominate agents for observation.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, an economist, emphasized the significance of the recall process, stating that it is the prerogative of registered voters to initiate it when they lose confidence in their representative.
INEC reassured the public that it would proceed according to the law, urging constituents to disregard any misinformation circulating on social media. If the petitioners comply with the required guidelines, INEC will announce the next steps in the process.
