The move to recall the lawmaker representing the Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduanghan, has failed as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared on Thursday that it fell short of the constitutional requirements.

The electoral commission, in a statement released by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, stated that the petition filed by a group of people who claimed to have lost confidence in Senator Natasha Akpoti for misconduct failed to meet up with the stipulations of Section 69 (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

According to the commission, Section 69(a) of the Nigerian law demands that the signatures of the registered voters in the constituency must be more than half of the total voters in the area. However, not enough people in the district signed the petition to recall the Kogi State senator. 

The Commission further explained that while the total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554, more than half of the figure amounts to at least 237,278. However, only 208,132 people, representing 43.86% of registered voters, signed the petition, falling short of the constitutional requirement of 29,146 signatories. 

As a result, the electoral commission, which had previously announced to the public that it would follow the requirement of the law and the INEC guideline in the recall process, maintained that the recall process could not proceed despite informing the concerned parties in the process. 

The statement reads “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday, 3rd April 2025. Among other issues, the meeting considered and approved the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024. 

The Commission had assured Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and our regulations and guidelines. First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition. Secondly, we notified the member who was sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate, and simultaneously published the notice on our website.

“Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law. This exercise has now been completed. For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.

“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e., 50%+1) is 237,277+1, which is at least 237,278 voters. Across the 902 polling units in 57 registration areas and five local government areas that make up the senatorial district, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters, which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories. Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution.

“Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the senator. In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a public notice to that effect, which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate. The public notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by local government areas, is available on our website and social media platforms for public information.”

Natasha Commends INEC for Upholding Constitutionality
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting what she described as the fake process by sponsored groups and individuals to recall her from the Senate.

The Senator thanked the Nigerian electoral umpire for upholding justice and constitutionality and refusing to bow to pressures from undemocratic elements both from Kogi and in the Senate.

In a statement signed by her, Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “God has put to shame anti-democratic forces plotting my recall from the Senate, including one of the most wanted persons by the EFCC, former governor Yahaya Bello.

“The voice of the people is the voice of God. Nobody, be it former Governor Yahaya Bello or Senate President Godswill Akpabio and their associates, can toy with the mandate freely given by the resolute people of Kogi Central without being put to shame.

“All along, I did not exercise any fear because I have a God that can never fail and I have people on my side. The decision to reject the recall process is a justice against injustice. INEC has proven to be truly independent and history will never forget this justice.

“I commend the umpire for shaming the shameless agents of darkness and setting the record straight according to the laws of our land.

“To God be the glory; we have defeated them again. This development is another record-breaking event against those who prefer coming from the backyard: the manipulators, election riggers, violent merchants and their allies in Kogi Central and beyond.

“Please bear in mind that your days are numbered in politics because the new era has come when people will no longer reckon or identify with evil politicians whose trademarks are not more than violence, rigging and corruption.

“Again, my appreciation goes to all Nigerians for standing firm with me in this battle, especially my people in Kogi Central. For me, I am out to bring justice to the oppressed, freedom to the captives and to make my modest contribution to ensure Nigeria is great again. Thank you, the lovers of justice.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Controversial Recall Process
The contentious recall process for Senator Akpoti-Uduangah started after she was suspended from the Senate for six months due to her altercation with Senate leadership over the change in her seating arrangement without prior notice, which led to a rowdy session in the chamber. The senator representing Kogi Central later made an allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

A few days later, a group known as Concerned Kogi Youth and Women petitioned the INEC to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan, claiming that 250,000 voters had signed the petition because they had lost faith in her.

In an immediate reaction to the petition, INEC disclosed that the petition did not have the contact of the majority of the signatories. Much later, the commission said it had received the contact information from the petitioners, giving them the push to continue with the process.

While the petition was underway, the senator went to her senatorial district on Tuesday to have a homecoming rally where she expressed her dissatisfaction with what she described as “INEC’s aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts.”