The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the conclusion of its review of the recall petition submitted against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, declaring the petition invalid due to insufficient signatures.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed the findings following INEC’s regular weekly meeting. He confirmed that the petition did not meet the constitutional requirements for a recall, as stipulated in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Following a meticulous verification exercise, the Commission has determined that the petition did not meet the required threshold,” Olumekun stated.
The constitutional provision mandates that a recall petition must be supported by more than half of the registered voters in the affected senatorial district. Kogi Central has a registered voter population of 474,554, requiring at least 237,278 valid signatures for a successful recall.
INEC’s verification process, conducted across 902 polling units, 57 Registration Areas, and five Local Government Areas, revealed that only 208,132 signatures and thumbprints were valid. This figure represents 43.86% of the total registered voters, falling short of the required threshold by 29,146 signatures.
Consequently, in accordance with Clause 2(d) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, INEC has declared the recall process concluded. A public notice confirming the outcome has been issued and formally communicated to the presiding officer of the Senate.
To ensure transparency, INEC has published a comprehensive summary of its findings, including a breakdown of valid signatures by Local Government Areas, on its official website and social media platforms.
The Commission detailed the procedural steps taken during the review, which included:
- Compliance Review: Ensuring the petition met all legal submission requirements.
- Official Notification: Informing Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in writing and notifying the Senate President.
- Signature Verification: Conducting a rigorous examination of the submitted signatures and thumbprints.
With the petition failing to meet the constitutional threshold, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan will remain in office. INEC reiterated its commitment to upholding electoral integrity and the rule of law, emphasizing that all necessary procedural steps were adhered to during the verification process. The Commission also encouraged citizens to continue participating actively in democratic processes.
