The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday expressed concerns regarding the petition for the recall of the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC confirmed the receipt of the petition, which includes six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, INEC highlighted that the petitioners failed to provide necessary contact information, such as addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The petition, presented on behalf of the constituents by Charity Ijese and received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday, was found to lack clear contact details for the representatives, with only the phone number of the lead petitioner provided.
Additionally, INEC noted that the petition represents voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—encompassing 902 polling units across 57 registration areas.
The Commission also criticised the petitioners for providing an imprecise address—simply listing “Okene, Kogi State”—which does not meet the standards outlined in the Commission’s regulations.
The statement read in part: “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
“The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, as well as the Commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents said to contain signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters spread across 902 polling units in 57 registration areas (wards) in the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
“The Commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s), and email address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition, as required in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines.
“The address given is ‘Okene, Kogi State’, which is not a specific location for contacting the petitioners. Only the telephone number of the lead petitioner is provided, as opposed to the numbers of all other representatives.”
The Commission emphasised that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s own detailed guidelines. Once the petition meets all the legal requirements, INEC will proceed with the verification of signatures in an open process at each polling unit.
It clarified that the verification will be limited to registered voters who signed the petition, and both the petitioners and the senator facing recall will have the right to nominate agents to observe the process.
Signature verification will be conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, with media and other observers being accredited.
Olumekun explained, “The Commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them.
“Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as outlined in our regulations, the Commission will commence the verification of the signatures in each polling unit in an open process, restricted to registered voters who signed the petition only.
“The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each polling unit, signatories to the petition will be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”
INEC assured the public that the recall process would proceed in accordance with the law, provided the petitioners fulfil all necessary guidelines. However, in the absence of complete contact information, the Commission is exploring alternative methods to notify the petition representatives.
INEC also urged the public to disregard any rumours or speculations circulating on social media and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the process is carried out in full compliance with the legal framework.
