The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition seeking the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, stating that it does not meet the constitutional requirements.
INEC announced this decision in a brief statement released on Thursday, April 3, 2025, via its official social media channels.
“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has not satisfied the conditions outlined in Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the statement reads.
Earlier, INEC had received a recall petition from constituents of Kogi Central, which accused the senator of serious misconduct and included a vote of no confidence. INEC subsequently informed both the suspended senator and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, about the development.
According to Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, INEC has sent an official notice to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s address and informed the Senate leadership. This letter has also been published on the Commission’s website.
The next phase involves verifying the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ensure that more than 50% of registered voters in the constituency have endorsed the petition. INEC has indicated that this process will take place in the coming days, with the results being made public, and that the findings will guide subsequent actions.
“We assure Nigerians that the process will remain open and transparent,” INEC concluded in its statement.