Senator Natasha wins as INEC rejects recall petition from constituents
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has failed to meet the constitutional threshold required for such a process.
The electoral body made this revelation on Thursday afternoon in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
It said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” INEC wrote.
This latest twist in the recall saga comes barely a week after INEC initially accepted the petition, following the submission of contact details and addresses by the petitioners.
READ ALSO: Why INEC rejected signed petition for Sen. Natasha’s recall from Kogi constituents
INEC’s sudden rejection of the petition raises questions, especially considering that just days ago, the Commission confirmed it had moved to the verification stage to determine whether the petition had the support of more than 50 per cent of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In its statement on March 26, INEC announced that the petitioners had rectified earlier deficiencies by providing their contact information, which led to the Commission notifying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and proceeding with scrutiny of the signatures.
However, Thursday’s announcement suggests that the petition has failed at this critical stage, though INEC has yet to provide details on the specific shortfall.
This development is likely to fuel further speculation that the recall effort was politically motivated.
READ ALSO: INEC accepts petition to recall Senator Natasha
The move to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been engulfed in controversy, with allegations that political allies of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello orchestrated the process.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been an outspoken critic of the Kogi political establishment, particularly the administration of the former governor.
Multiple reports indicated that some voters were deceived into signing the recall petition under the pretence of an empowerment programme.
The recall process is also facing a legal challenge. A Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from acting on any recall petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing allegations of fraudulent signatures.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on May 6, 2025.
Recall and homecoming event
The recall petition followed several controversial events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” called for her removal due to accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceit.
Senator Natasha has accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment.
INEC’s rejection comes a few days after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was received by hundreds of supporters from the Kogi Central Senatorial District during a homecoming event to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Thousands of supporters gathered to welcome the senator home despite a government-imposed ban on public gatherings and a curfew in her local government area before the event.
While addressing her supporters, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of conspiring to kill her. She claimed that although the plot was kept secret, the Nigerian Police had been informed.
She alleged that Akpabio initiated her recall after allegedly offering funds to Bello, with the plan escalating to a more sinister level. She said on March 13th, Akpabio reportedly called Kogi Governor Ododo, urging him to begin the recall process.
However, Ododo reportedly opposed the move, stating it would be impossible due to her support among the people.
Dissatisfied, Akpabio allegedly contacted Bello and instructed him to push forward with the recall and, shockingly, to ensure her death.
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