INEC Rejects Petition to Recall Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Insists Constitutional Requirements Not Met

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, stating that it failed to meet constitutional requirements. 

In a statement on Thursday, INEC clarified that the petition did not satisfy the provisions of Section 69(a) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The commission noted that while the total number of registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554, the petition required signatures from at least 237,278 voters—more than half of the registered voters. However, only 208,132 verified signatures were submitted. 

The statement, issued by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that the petition fell short of the legal threshold.

“Consequently, no further action will be taken on the recall process,” Olumekun stated. 

This decision follows an earlier rejection of the petition by INEC due to missing contact details, which the petitioners later provided.

However, the latest review confirmed that the petition still failed to meet all constitutional requirements. 

The recall effort was initiated by some constituents following Senator Natasha’s suspension by the Senate for alleged breaches of legislative rules.

Her suspension had raised concerns about representation in Kogi Central. 

Senator Natasha has recently been in the spotlight after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim he denied. Her suspension by the Senate further fueled political tensions. 

Despite a state government ban on rallies, Senator Natasha was warmly received by supporters in Okehi Local Government Area earlier this week.

Addressing the crowd, she declared, “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land.”

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