The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. The petition was submitted by a group named Concerned Kogi Youth and Women and was accepted by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony on Monday, March 24, 2025.
The petition, signed by over 250,000 registered voters from the district, cites “loss of confidence” in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceitful behavior.
This development follows a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, which vacated an earlier interim injunction that had restrained INEC from accepting any recall petitions against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court’s decision cleared the way for INEC to proceed with the recall process.
The recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of the constituents. According to Nigerian law, if a petition for recall is presented to INEC and is signed by more than one-half of the registered voters in the affected constituency, INEC is required to conduct a referendum within 90 days to determine whether the senator should be recalled.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has recently been in the news for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation that led to her suspension from the Senate for six months due to unrelated disruptive behavior.
The situation continues to evolve, and further actions by INEC and responses from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan are awaited.
