INEC rejects petition to recall Natasha, says it needed additional 29,146 signatories to be valid
Photo credit: SR
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given in details he reasons behind the rejection of the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The commission earlier stated that the petition failed to meet the constitutional requirement of having signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission revealed that after a physical count of the submitted signatures and thumbprints, only 208,132 voters were verified to have signed the petition, representing 43.86% of the total 474,554 registered voters in the district.
This falls short of the required 237,278 signatures, leaving a deficit of 29,146.
The statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, reads: “For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.
“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters.
“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator.
“In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a Public Notice to that effect which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate.
“The Public Notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by Local Government Areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information.”
With this announcement, the process to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has officially collapsed. INEC has also issued a public notice confirming the decision, with a detailed breakdown of the rejected petition available on its website.
The failed recall attempt has deepened political tensions in Kogi State, with accusations that the process was driven by forces loyal to former Governor Yahaya Bello, a known political adversary of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senator has been vocal in her criticism of the former governor’s administration, fueling speculation that the recall bid was politically motivated.
There were also reports that some voters were tricked into signing the petition under false pretences, with claims that they were made to believe it was part of an empowerment programme.
