INEC Flags Lapses in Petition for Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the petition submitted for the recall of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, does not meet the requirements outlined in Clause 1(f) of its Regulations and Guidelines.

INEC, which received the petition on Monday at its headquarters in Abuja, revealed after its weekly meeting on Tuesday that the covering letter forwarding the petition lacked essential details, including a contact address, telephone numbers, and email addresses of all representatives of the petitioners.

Deficiencies in the Petition

In a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC pointed out that only the telephone number of the “lead petitioner” was provided, instead of contact details for all representatives. The address given was simply “Okene, Kogi State,” which the commission said is not a precise location for communication.

The petition, submitted by representatives from Kogi Central Senatorial District, was accompanied by six bags of documents containing signatures purportedly collected from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in 57 registration areas (wards) within the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.

INEC’s Stand on the Recall Process

Olumekun reaffirmed that the recall process is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall. He stressed that INEC would adhere strictly to legal provisions in processing the petition.

“The recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in their representative. Once the petition meets submission requirements, INEC will begin verifying the signatures in an open process limited to the signatories,” he stated.

He added that both the petitioners and the senator facing recall would be allowed to appoint agents to observe the verification process. Independent observers and the media would also be accredited to monitor the proceedings, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used for signature verification.

Next Steps for the Petitioners

INEC noted that if the petitioners comply fully with Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines by providing the missing details, the Commission would proceed with the next steps in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reach the petitioners through alternative means.

“The Commission reassures the public that it will be guided by the legal framework for recall. The public should, therefore, disregard any speculations or misinformation circulating on social media,” Olumekun concluded.