The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday, with the constituents claiming that their request met all constitutional requirements.
According to reports, over 200,000 registered voters—more than half of the district’s electorate—signed in support of the recall process.
The petition comes in the wake of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent suspension from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She had earlier accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Speaking on the development, Oriaran-Anthony assured that INEC would follow due process as outlined in the Constitution in handling the petition.
A key representative of the Kogi Central constituents, Comrade Salihu Habeeb, expressed confidence in the success of the recall, stating that the people had spoken with one voice in their demand for a more accountable representative.
“This would be the first recall to succeed because we have come together as one. We need a credible representative,” Habeeb said.
Another community leader, Comrade Hamza Yakubu, emphasized that the recall effort was based on the people’s needs rather than emotions, urging INEC to act swiftly.
Similarly, Charity Jesse, representing Kogi youths and women, said the petition was a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged failure to effectively represent the district.
The process had previously faced legal hurdles, but a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja lifted an injunction on March 22, allowing INEC to proceed. The court ruled that the recall process was constitutionally valid and reaffirmed the constituents’ right to hold their representative accountable.
