The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received a petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. The petition, submitted by constituents, was received by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony on Monday and reportedly has over 200,000 signatures, meeting constitutional requirements for the recall process. This move follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6 due to alleged “gross misconduct” linked to a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she had previously accused of sexual harassment. After receiving the petition, Oriaran-Anthony assured that INEC would follow the constitutional due process for the recall.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will process the petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Comrade Salihu Habeeb, a representative of the Kogi Central constituents, expressed confidence that the recall effort would succeed, emphasizing the community’s desire for a more accountable representative. He criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for her lack of engagement with her constituents.
Another representative, Comrade Hamza Yakubu, urged INEC to act quickly on the petition, stating that the recall was driven by logical needs rather than emotional responses. Charity Jesse, representing Kogi Youths and Women, echoed these sentiments, relating the petition to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged misconduct and ineffective representation.
On March 22, a Federal High Court in Lokoja lifted a previous restraining order against INEC, confirming the constitutional validity of the recall process and affirming the constituents’ civic rights to initiate it. This ruling allows INEC to proceed with the recall process and conduct a referendum.