Victor EzejaThe Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), has given reasons why it rejected the petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, at the National Assembly.
In a statement released on Thursday, 3 April signed by INEC spokesperson, Sam Olumekun, the electoral body said the petition failed to meet the requirement of Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOlumekun said the Commission held its weekly meeting on Thursday where among other issues, the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was considered.
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He said the Commission had assured that it would be fair to the parties involved and act in line with the provisions of the law and its Regulations and Guidelines.
The statement highlighted the steps taken by INEC in handling the recall process.
“First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition.
“Secondly, we notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published the notice on our website.
“Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law. This exercise has now been completed,” part of the statement read.
It emphasised that a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.
Kogi Central is made up of 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five local government areas – Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
According to INEC, the total number of registered voters in the Senatorial District is 474,554. This means that more than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is about 237,278 voters. The electoral body said it ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made to the Commission by the petitioners from the senatorial district. “This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories,” INEC stated.
“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” the Commission declared.
“In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a Public Notice to that effect which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate.
“The Public Notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by Local Government Areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement added.
With this declaration, INEC has brought to a halt, the process for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The recall emanated from a controversy between the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan.
It started with a disagreement over sitting arrangement. The Kogi lawmaker also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, which the Senate President denied.
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Subsequently, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions headed by Senator Neda Imasuen from Edo South, recommended her suspension from the Senate for six months on the ground of gross misconduct.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents who initiated the recall, had accused her of gross misconduct, abuse of office and deceit. They said they have lost confidence in her representation of the people at the National Assembly and wanted her recalled.
While the gathering of signatures of the constituents was going on across the senatorial district, videos emerged on social media where some of the constituents claimed they were only told to come for an empowerment programme but were surprised when they were asked to provide their voter identity details.
Also, some unverified videos that circulated on social media showed people thumbprinting ballot papers which some claimed were those falsifying signatures for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
Nigerians were watching with keen interest what the outcome of the recall process would be, and warned INEC to maintain transparency and credibility.
During her homecoming rally on Tuesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused INEC of being biased in handling the petition seeking her recall from the Senate.
She alleged that INEC was guiding the petitioners on how to legitimise their claims.
“What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts,” she stated.
She accused Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yaya Bello, of being the chief plotter of the recall.
The lawmaker alleged that the group orchestrating her recall, the Kogi Central Political Frontier, lacked credibility, adding that their listed address – No. 4 Oboroke – does not exist.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
