The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently holding a meeting to discuss the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Akpoti-Uduaghan is presently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate following allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Confirming the ongoing deliberations, INEC’s Assistant Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, stated in a brief message: “The Commission is meeting on Kogi recall process now.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, members of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency stormed the INEC headquarters in Abuja, demanding her immediate recall from the Senate.
Constituents’ Petition for Recall
In a petition dated March 21 and submitted to the electoral body, the petitioners expressed their loss of confidence in her leadership, citing misconduct and abuse of office.
The petition states:
“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.”
It further references Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC regulations governing recall petitions.
The petitioners argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure has been marred by “gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and the country’s democratic institutions.”
They also claimed to have secured signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central to support her removal.
Call for Immediate Action
Following the submission of the petition, Omole Charity, leader of the protest group, emphasized that the people who elected Akpoti-Uduaghan now want her out.
“We voted her in, and now we are recalling her. We have lost confidence in her due to her gross misconduct, which led to her suspension in the Senate, leaving Kogi Central without representation. We cannot afford to be unrepresented,” Charity stated.
She further claimed that out of 488,000 registered voters in Kogi Central, over 250,000 had signed the recall petition.
INEC is expected to follow due process in reviewing the petition and determining the next steps in accordance with constitutional provisions.
