The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally notified Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, of a recall petition initiated by her constituents, Okay.ng reports.
The development comes amid allegations of gross misconduct and a vote of no confidence passed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by members of her constituency.
INEC had earlier stated on Tuesday, March 25, that the petition could not progress due to the absence of contact information for the petitioners. However, that challenge has now been resolved.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Mr. Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, confirmed the receipt of the required contact details.
“Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025,” the statement read.
Olumekun added that in line with Clause 2(a) of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has officially notified Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of the petition submitted against her.
“A letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address. The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website,” he stated.
Okay.ng reports that INEC is now set to scrutinise the list of signatories attached to the petition to determine whether more than 50% of registered voters in Kogi Central endorsed the recall process.
“The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent,” Olumekun affirmed.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was elected in 2023 and is currently serving her first term in the Senate.
