The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing failure to meet constitutional requirements.
In a statement released Thursday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, INEC clarified that the recall attempt did not satisfy the conditions outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This decision marks a dramatic turnaround, as just a week earlier, the commission had acknowledged receipt of the petition and begun the verification process. At the time, INEC confirmed that petitioners had rectified initial submission errors by providing necessary contact details and addresses.
The sudden rejection is likely to spark debate, especially given that INEC had previously announced its move to verify whether over 50% of Kogi Central Senatorial District’s 474,554 registered voters supported the recall. However, INEC did not specify the exact shortfall in the petition’s validity.
Political undertones have surrounded the recall effort, with speculation that it was orchestrated by allies of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal critic of the previous administration, has faced allegations that some signatories were misled into supporting the recall under false pretenses.
Additionally, a legal battle has further complicated the process. A Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from proceeding with the recall, citing allegations of fraudulent signatures. The case is set for hearing on May 6, 2025.
The latest development leaves the recall process in limbo, raising questions about the motivations behind it and the integrity of the process itself.
