INEC Declares Petition For Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Recall Non-Compliant.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled that the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, does not meet the necessary requirements.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed that the commission reached this decision during its regular weekly meeting on 25th March 2025.
Deficiencies in the Recall Petition
Olumekun explained that the petition, submitted by representatives of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, was accompanied by six bags of documents containing signatures allegedly collected from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in 57 wards. The petition covered the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
However, INEC observed that the petitioners failed to provide key contact details in their submission.
“The representatives of the petitioners did not include their contact address, telephone numbers, or email addresses in the covering letter. The only address given is ‘Okene, Kogi State,’ which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Furthermore, only the telephone number of ‘the lead petitioner’ was provided, rather than the details of all the representatives,” Olumekun stated.
INEC’s Position on the Recall Process
The electoral commission reiterated that the recall of a legislator is the exclusive right of registered voters in the affected constituency. If a petition meets all submission requirements, INEC will proceed with the verification of signatures in each polling unit.
This process, Olumekun noted, would be conducted transparently, allowing both the petitioners and the affected legislator to nominate agents to observe proceedings. Additionally, accredited observers and media representatives would be allowed to monitor the verification exercise.
“At each polling unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” he said.
Next Steps and Public Assurance
Olumekun assured the public that INEC remains committed to adhering strictly to the legal framework governing recall processes.
He added that if the petitioners rectify their submission by providing the necessary details in line with Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines, the commission will outline the next steps.
“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,” he noted.
Finally, Olumekun urged Nigerians to disregard speculation and misleading reports circulating on social media, reaffirming INEC’s dedication to a transparent and lawful process.
