INEC Nullifies Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Missing Contact Details
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has nullified the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing the petitioners’ failure to provide a valid contact address as required by electoral regulations.
The petition, allegedly signed by 474,554 registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District, aimed to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office. However, INEC ruled that the petition did not meet the procedural requirements and was therefore invalid.
INEC’s Verdict: Petitioners Failed to Provide Contact Details
According to Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the recall petition lacked essential details, including a clear contact address, phone numbers, and email addresses for all representatives of the petitioners.
“The petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone numbers, and email addresses as required in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines. The address given is simply ‘Okene, Kogi State,’ which is not a definite location for contacting them,” the statement read.
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Olumekun further explained that only one telephone number—belonging to a so-called “lead petitioner”—was provided, instead of contact details for all representatives. This violated INEC’s submission guidelines, rendering the petition procedurally defective.
The Recall Process: INEC’s Guidelines and Legal Framework
INEC reaffirmed that recalling a legislator is the exclusive right of registered voters in a constituency. The commission outlined the legal steps for initiating a recall, emphasizing that once a petition meets submission requirements, INEC will:
- Verify the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) at each polling unit.
- Allow both petitioners and the legislator under recall to nominate agents to observe the verification process.
- Accredit independent observers and media personnel to ensure transparency.
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However, since the Kogi Central recall petition failed the basic submission criteria, INEC cannot proceed with verification at this stage.
What Happens Next? Can the Petition Be Resubmitted?
INEC clarified that if the petitioners correct their submission errors by providing valid contact details, the commission will announce the next steps in line with electoral laws and guidelines.
Meanwhile, INEC is exploring alternative means to notify the petitioners of the situation.
Political Reactions and Public Response
The nullification of the recall petition has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan view the decision as a victory against politically motivated attacks, while her critics insist that INEC should have allowed the recall process to proceed.
Some analysts believe the attempted recall is part of a broader political struggle in Kogi State, particularly following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sexual harassment allegations.
With political tensions rising, all eyes are now on the petitioners to see if they will resubmit a revised petition with the correct details.
