The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally commenced the constitutional process for the potential recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In an official statement released Wednesday by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the electoral body confirmed it has notified the senator about the receipt of a recall petition against her.
The commission revealed it has now obtained complete contact details of the petitioners, including phone numbers and email addresses, which were initially missing when the petition was first submitted on Tuesday, March 25.
According to the statement, INEC has taken the following actions:
- Written to officially notify Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan about the petition at her official address
- Copied the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on the notification
- Published the notice on INEC's official website for public transparency
The electoral body outlined the next steps in the process:
"The Commission will now scrutinize the list of signatories to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50 percent) of the registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District. This verification exercise will be conducted in the coming days," the statement read.
INEC emphasized that the outcome of this verification process, which will be made public, will determine whether the recall process can proceed to the next stage as stipulated by constitutional provisions.
This development comes amid heightened political tensions in the Senate following Akpoti-Uduaghan's recent suspension. The senator had made serious allegations against Senate President Akpabio, leading to her temporary removal from the legislative chamber.
DAILY MENTOR reports that constituents in Kogi Central have been divided over the recall move, with some groups insisting on the senator's removal while others have vowed to resist what they describe as a "politically motivated" attempt to unseat their representative.
Political analysts note that this recall attempt, if successful, would mark a significant moment in Nigeria's democratic history, being one of the few instances where a senator faces recall proceedings. The process is particularly notable given the ongoing power struggle within the National Assembly.
INEC has assured all stakeholders that it will follow due process and constitutional requirements in handling the matter, while urging calm among the senator's constituents as the verification exercise begins.
The commission has not provided a specific timeline for completing the verification process, but sources indicate it may take several weeks given the need for thorough scrutiny of the petition signatures against the voter register.