INEC Dismisses Petition to Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Failure to Meet Constitutional Threshold

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing the failure of the petitioners to meet the constitutional requirements.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the commission stated that the petition did not satisfy the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which mandates the signatures of more than half of the registered voters in the affected constituency.

INEC clarified that the total number of registered voters in Kogi Central is 474,554, and to meet the constitutional threshold, at least 237,278 valid signatures were required. Following a physical verification of the signatures and thumbprints attached to the petition, the commission confirmed only 208,132 valid entries. This figure represents 43.86 percent of registered voters and falls short by 29,146 signatures.

The commission explained that the verification exercise was conducted across 902 polling units within 57 registration areas across five local government areas that make up the senatorial district. The process followed the procedures outlined in the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, which included notification to the Senator in question, the presiding officer of the Senate, and publication on the commission’s official website.

As a result of the shortfall, INEC resolved that the petition had failed to meet the legal threshold and declared that no further action would be taken regarding the recall process.

Following the announcement, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed appreciation to the commission for its impartiality and commitment to justice. In a statement issued through her media team, she commended INEC for rejecting what she described as a "fake process" driven by politically sponsored individuals attempting to remove her from office.

She took aim at her political opponents, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing them of being behind the failed attempt. “God has put to shame anti-democratic forces plotting my recall from the Senate, including one of the most wanted persons by the EFCC, former governor Yahaya Bello. All along, I did not exercise any fear because I have a God that never fails, and I have people on my side,” she said.

She praised INEC for demonstrating true independence and for upholding the principles of justice. “The decision to reject the recall process is a justice against injustice. INEC has proven to be truly independent, and history will never forget this justice. I commend the umpire for shaming the shameless agents of darkness and setting the record straight according to the laws of our land.”

The Senator declared the development a victory for democratic integrity, adding, “To God be the glory, we have defeated them again. This development is another record-breaking against those who prefer coming from the backyard, the manipulators, election riggers, the violent merchants and their allies in Kogi Central and beyond. Bear in mind that your days are numbered in politics. I am out to bring justice to the oppressed and to ensure Nigeria is great again.”