The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition from constituents of Kogi Central seeking the recall of the suspended Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, which was submitted with over 250,000 signatures from registered voters in the senatorial district, meets INEC’s stipulated requirement of at least 50 percent plus one of the total registered voters, which stands at approximately 480,000.
The petition was formally presented at the INEC office in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, on Monday morning. It was submitted by Ms. Charity Ijese on behalf of the concerned constituents and was duly stamped upon receipt by INEC officials.
Grounds for Recall
Titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” the petition asserts that the signatories, who are duly registered voters of Kogi Central, are invoking their constitutional rights to demand the senator’s removal from the Nigerian Senate.
The petitioners cite Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), alongside INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions, as the legal foundation for their demand.
While acknowledging that Akpoti-Uduaghan assumed office following an Appeal Court ruling in October 2024, the petitioners maintain that their call for her recall stems from a complete loss of confidence in her representation.
They outline several allegations against her, including: Gross misconduct, Abuse of office, Evasion of due process, A pattern of deceitful behavior.
According to the petitioners, these infractions have not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but have also brought disrepute to the Nigerian Senate and undermined the credibility of the nation’s democratic institutions.
Constituents Demand Immediate Action
The petition emphasizes that with over half of the registered voters in Kogi Central endorsing the recall request, INEC must immediately initiate the necessary constitutional and procedural steps to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her senatorial seat vacant.
Speaking to the media after submitting the petition, Ms. Charity Ijese, surrounded by numerous constituents, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the recall process is successfully executed. She stated that the people of Kogi Central are resolute in their demand for accountability and will not relent until their voices are heard and appropriate action is taken by INEC.
This development marks a significant political moment in Kogi Central, as it underscores the electorate’s determination to hold their representatives accountable and uphold the integrity of democratic governance in Nigeria.
