Just in: INEC Rejects Petition to Recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

In a statement released on Thursday, INEC declared that the petition failed to meet the necessary constitutional and procedural requirements for recalling a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This decision follows a formal petition submitted by some constituents of Kogi Central, requesting the electoral body to initiate the recall process against the senator.

However, after reviewing the petition, INEC ruled that it did not satisfy the legal conditions stipulated in Section 69 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the framework for the recall of elected lawmakers.

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The commission emphasized its commitment to upholding due process and ensuring that electoral laws are strictly followed. While the statement did not specify the exact deficiencies in the petition, sources within INEC suggested that issues such as inadequate signatures or failure to meet the required percentage of registered voters may have contributed to its rejection.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was elected to the Senate in 2023 and has been a vocal advocate for her constituency. Her tenure has seen both support and opposition from different political factions within Kogi Central.

With INEC’s decision, the recall attempt is effectively halted unless petitioners can meet the legal prerequisites for a fresh submission.

The development has sparked mixed reactions from political stakeholders in Kogi State, with supporters of the senator celebrating the decision while her opponents express disappointment.

INEC reiterated its role as an impartial electoral umpire, urging Nigerians to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions in seeking any legislative recall process.