Attempt by some people to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has fallen flat on its face as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that it will not take any further action on the process.
The national electoral umpire took the position following a review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners angling for the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
INEC arrived at the decision after holding its regular weekly meeting was held on Thursday where the issue of the recall was discussed, among other issues.
The Commission’s National Commissioner/Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee Sam Olumekun, made these known in a press release, tagged “Outcome Of The Review Of Signatures/Thumbprints Of The Petitioners For The Recall Of The Senator Representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.”
He said the decision against the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was made in fulfilment of its promise to Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and INEC Regulations and Guidelines.
INEC stated that the decision not to take any further action to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan followed the discovery that the petition failed to comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It stated that, for emphasis, a petition for the recall of a senator required the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.
INEC explained further that the total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554, adding that more than one-half of the figure (i.e. 50 per cent+one) is 237,277+1, meaning, at least, 237,278 voters.
It added that, across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five local government areas that make up Kogi Central Senatorial District, it could ascertained only 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.
The figure, it further stated, translated to 43.86 per cent of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
The INEC National Commissioner/Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee further stated: “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 3rd April, 2025.
“Among other issues, the meeting considered and approved the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
“The Commission had assured Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and our regulations and guidelines.
“First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition.
“Secondly, we notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published the notice on our website.
“Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law.
“This exercise has now been completed.
“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 per cent+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 per cent 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.”
Olumekun disclosed that INEC, In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, has issued a Public Notice to that effect, adding that the Presiding Officer of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was also copied.
“The Public Notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by local government areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information,” the Commission declared.
