The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will not proceed with the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan due to the petitioners’ failure to meet the necessary constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
Specifically, the petitioners did not provide complete contact details, including exact addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of their representatives, as mandated by Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The Commission announced its decision in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
It said: “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
INEC said that the petitioners failed to gather the requisite number of signatures/thumbprints, which must represent more than one-half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The statement reads: “For emphasis, 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.
“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters.
“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.
“This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
“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.”
In compliance with legal requirements, INEC also issued a Public Notice regarding the outcome of the review.
The public notice, accompanied by a detailed breakdown of signatures and thumbprints organized by Local Government Areas, is now accessible on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
Persecondnews had reported that Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, a group of registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District, said it will submit a petition to INEC to recall Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group cited “loss of confidence” in the senator due to allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceitful behaviour.
Reacting to the recall move, Akpoti-Uduaghan secured an interim injunction against it through a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State on March 21.
The court granted an injunction restraining INEC, its staff, and agents from receiving or acting on petitions with fictitious signatures from the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
It also prohibits INEC from conducting any referendum based on such a petition to initiate the recall process from the Senate.
However, INEC received the petition on March 24, following a Federal High Court ruling that vacated an earlier order restraining the commission from accepting such petitions.
The petition was submitted by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents and received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The recall petition against Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan stems from a series of contentious events, culminating in her suspension from the Senate on March 6, over alleged “gross misconduct”.
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