The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns regarding the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central district. INEC stated that the petitioners failed to provide essential contact information, including a definite address, telephone numbers, and email addresses for all representatives, as required by their regulations and guidelines.
According to INEC National Commissioner Sam Olumekun, the address provided, “Okene, Kogi State,” lacks the specificity needed for contact. Furthermore, only the lead petitioner’s telephone number was included, rather than contact details for all representatives. Olumekun made these remarks following INEC’s weekly meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Olumekun emphasized that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Recall Regulations and Guidelines 2024, which are accessible on their website. He assured that all petitions would be handled in strict adherence to the legal framework.
The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was submitted with six bags of documents, purportedly containing signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in 57 wards within five local government areas. However, the lack of complete contact information has presented an immediate obstacle.
Olumekun reiterated that the recall of a legislator is a right of registered voters who demonstrate a loss of confidence through a signed petition. He clarified that once a petition meets all submission requirements, INEC will proceed with signature verification at each polling unit, open only to those who signed the petition. Agents from both the petitioners and the senator in question, as well as accredited observers and media, will be permitted to monitor the verification process. Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used to verify signatories at each polling unit.
Olumekun stated that if the petitioners comply with the contact information requirements, INEC will announce subsequent steps. He noted that INEC is attempting to contact the petitioners through alternative means due to the missing information. He also reassured the public that INEC will remain guided by the legal framework and urged them to disregard any social media speculations.
