INEC says petition for Natasha’s recall fails to meet legal requirements for now

INEC says petition for Natasha’s recall “will be guided by the legal framework for recall”

By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor

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“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines” – INEC.

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Failure to fulfill legal requirements in the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) by her constituents has been spotted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The representatives of the petitioners did not provide contact addresses, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines, said Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman.

He disclosed that the address the petitioners listed as “Okene, Kogi State”  is not a definite location for contacting them, and only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided instead of the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.

Olumekun gave the update at the end of INEC weekly meeting in Abuja.

“The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District,” he said.

“The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.

“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to be signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas (Wards) in the five Local Government Areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.

“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines.

“The address given is “Okene, Kogi State”, which is not a definite location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” is provided as against the numbers of all the other representatives of the petitioners.”

Olumekun reiterated that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them.

Once the petition meets the submission requirements, as contained in INEC’s regulations, he added, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each polling unit in an open process restricted to registered voters who signed the petition only.

“The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited.

“At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the Commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines.

“In the absence of a definite contact address, the Commission is making efforts to use other means to notify the representatives of the petitioners of the situation.

“The Commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should, therefore, discountenance any speculations and insinuations on social media.”

Ezekwesili accuses Akpabio of bribing Natasha’s constituents to recall her

INEC official Rose Oriaran-Anthony on Monday received the petition, which former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating through bribery.

Other individuals and groups, including rights activists and Amnesty International, have also demanded a fair and transparent investigation of Natasha’s allegations instead of Senators sweeping them under the carpet and vilifying her.

Ezekwesili reiterated that Senators brought shame upon Nigeria and Nigerians by their refusal to provide an opportunity for an independent investigation into the embarrassing Akpabiogate.

She accused the Senate and Akpabio of embarking on a smear campaign against Natasha.

“Here’s @TheEconomist in yet another post on the shame brought upon Nigeria and Nigerians by @Senator_Akpabio @NGRSenate by their brazen refusal to provide an opportunity for an independent investigation and open/transparent public hearing by a Specially Constituted Committee of the Nigerian Senate,” Ezekwesili wrote on X.

“No one wants another Kangaroo process of injustice like they did to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan @NatashaAkpoti with their so-called ‘Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions’ ‘investigation’ when she was referred to that tainted committee following the heated argument between her and the Senate President over seating arrangements.

“The committee recommended a six-month suspension and other egregious punishment, which were in violation of the Constitution and yet were approved by the Senate.

“Rather than reverse that illegality and focus on her petition for sexual harassment, the Senate and Senate President have instead embarked on a smear campaign against Senator @NatashaAkpoti.

“They are currently conspiring to execute a sham Recall by bribing her constituents who thankfully have largely rejected their offer of filthy lucre.

“What a bunch of nation-destroyers we have as ‘Lawmakers’. They behave with impunity because [they] have taken a chokehold on our democracy.

“Well, it is time for all reasonable Citizens to stand up to them and all the way before they totally destroy whatever is left of Nigeria.”

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