INEC Rejects Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha Akpoti, Cites Constitutional Failures

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially rejected a petition aimed at recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District. 

The petition, which sought to remove the senator from office, failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

INEC initially accepted the petition and moved forward with the verification process, which required proof of support from over 50% of the 474,554 registered voters in the district. However, the commission later found that the petition lacked essential details, including the required signatures, and only listed the lead petitioner’s phone number. This prompted the commission to dismiss the petition as it failed to meet the necessary criteria for proceeding with a recall.

The recall petition has sparked considerable debate, with many speculating about its political motivations. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been an outspoken critic of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration, which has led to claims that the petition was politically motivated. 

There have also been allegations that some constituents were misled into signing the petition under false pretenses, including promises of financial or social benefits. 

Furthermore, the Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction, barring INEC from acting on the petition until a hearing is held on May 6, 2025, to address concerns about fraudulent signatures and other irregularities in the process.