Abuja, Nigeria — Di Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don announce say dem don cancel di recall process for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, wey dey represent Kogi Central Senatorial District. Dis announcement come on Thursday, April 3, 2025, through dia official X account.
INEC tok say di petition wey di group wey call demself Concerned Kogi Youths and Women submit no meet di constitutional requirements under Section 69(a) of di 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Dem say di signatures wey di petitioners bring no reach di number wey dem need to start di recall process.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan dey face dis recall after di group tok say dem lose confidence in her leadership. Di group claim say dem get over 250,000 signatures from di 474,554 registered voters in di Kogi Central district, but INEC check confirm say only 208,132 signatures dey valid, wey be 43.86% of di total registered voters.
Akpoti-Uduaghan react to di news on her X account, say, “One battle down, two more to go.” Dis na in reference to her ongoing cases with di Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her suspension from di Senate. She thanks di pipo of Kogi Central for dia support and add say dis na victory for di constituents.
INEC clarify say di number of signatures required for di recall suppose be more than half (50%+1) of di registered voters, which mean dem need at least 237,278 signatures. INEC tok say di petitioners fall short by 29,146 signatures.
Di recall petition was submitted on March 24, 2025, and na di same day, Ijese Omole, wey represent di group, tok say dem don try to collect up to 250,000 signatures. However, dem face allege misrepresentation on di way di signatures dey gathered.
INEC announce say di only reason for di rejection na because di signatures wey di petitioners submit no reach di required amount wey di law demand. Dem maintain say dem go follow di lawful procedures for any recall petition.
Di entire process don raise eyebrows as critics don talk say di recall plan fit be politically motivated, especially as Akpoti-Uduaghan don dey criticize di Kogi political system and dey involved in ongoing controversies with prominent politicians like Yahaya Bello.
Currently, di recall petition face legal issues, as one Federal High Court for Lokoja don issue injunction wey stop INEC from proceeding with any recall action against di senator, citing allegations of forged signatures. Di case go come up for hearing on May 6, 2025.
