The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally received a petition from constituents of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding the commencement of her recall process from the Nigerian Senate. The move has sparked political debates within Kogi Central Senatorial District and beyond, as citizens closely monitor how the electoral body will handle the situation.
The petition was officially submitted on Monday at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, where it was received by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on behalf of the electoral body. The petitioners, representing a significant portion of Kogi Central voters, arrived in large numbers to present their case, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with the senator’s performance and conduct in office.
According to the petitioners, more than 250,000 constituents signed the recall petition, out of approximately 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district. This number surpasses the constitutional requirement for initiating a recall process, making the petition a significant step in the potential removal of the senator.
The document, titled 'Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence', presents a series of allegations against the senator. These include accusations of misconduct, abuse of office, and disregard for due process in legislative activities. The petitioners claim that these actions have severely impacted the credibility of Kogi Central’s representation in the Senate and have necessitated urgent intervention.
The petition explicitly states:
“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.”
The petitioners argue that their demand is backed by Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the established recall guidelines set by INEC. They stress that their actions are driven by a collective loss of confidence in the senator’s leadership and representation.
In their submission, the petitioners accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of engaging in conduct that has brought disrepute to both her constituency and the Nigerian Senate. They cited her alleged involvement in legislative infractions, governance misconduct, and actions that have purportedly weakened the trust of the electorate in democratic institutions.
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions,” the petition states.
The petitioners are calling for swift intervention from INEC to initiate the recall process immediately. They assert that the significant number of signatories reflects the overwhelming demand for new leadership within the senatorial district.
“By this petition, which we have ensured is signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
This latest development is expected to set off a series of political and legal proceedings, as INEC will be required to verify the authenticity of the signatures before taking further action. The process of recalling a senator in Nigeria is rigorous and involves several constitutional steps, including verification, public hearings, and potential legal battles.
As the situation unfolds, political analysts believe that this recall attempt will have broader implications for legislative accountability and voter engagement in Nigeria’s democratic landscape. While some believe that the move is a genuine expression of the electorate’s dissatisfaction, others argue that political rivalries may be at play.
INEC has yet to make an official statement regarding the next steps but is expected to announce further details on the verification process in the coming days. Meanwhile, supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan have vowed to challenge the petition, describing it as a politically motivated attack aimed at undermining her tenure in the Senate.
More updates are expected as INEC reviews the petition and determines the validity of the signatures submitted by the petitioners.