Following the receipt of a petition for the recall of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to adhere to the constitutional guidelines in the recall process.
Persecondnews reports that the petition was received on Monday by the Commission’ Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, at its headquarters in Abuja.
According to Oriaran-Anthony, the commission would adhere to the constitutional guidelines governing the recall process, ensuring a lawful and transparent procedure.
More than half of the registered voters in the senatorial district, exceeding 200,000 individuals, have signed the petition.
According to the constituents, the signed petition complies with the constitutional requirements as outlined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The recall petition was sparked by a series of contentious events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She had previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Salihu Habeeb, representing the Kogi Central constituents, expressed optimism about the recall effort’s success, citing the community’s unity in demanding a more accountable representative.
He criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for neglecting to engage with her constituents and even failing to even acknowledge their concerns.
Habeeb said: “From the process, the Kogi Central Indigenous people have carried out so far, this would be the first recall that will be successful. We have spoken with one voice. We need a credible representative.”
Mr. Hamza Yakubu, another representative, emphasized that the recall process is guided by logic and the people’s needs, rather than emotional considerations.
He urged INEC to expedite action on the processing of the petition.
Yakubu said: “We believe that the recall process will be successful. The commission should review the submitted petition and immediately move into action.”
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja had on March 22 lifted a restraining order that had prevented INEC from receiving the petition.
The court ruled that the recall process was constitutionally valid, affirming the civic rights of the constituents to initiate such a procedure, and encouraged the petitioners to continue exercising their rights peacefully.
Persecondnews had reported that the court on March 21 issued an interim injunction halting INEC, its staff, and agents from processing petitions with allegedly fake signatures from the Kogi Central Senatorial district.
The order issued by Justice Isa H. Dashen, in suit no. FHC/LKJ/CS/13/2025, also prohibits INEC from conducting any referendum based on the petition to initiate the recall process of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The latest ruling has now paved the way for the electoral commission to proceed with the recall process.
Author
Leave a comment