The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified shortcomings in the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated that the petition failed to meet certain requirements.
The petition, submitted by constituents from Kogi Central, was accompanied by six bags of documents containing signatures from over half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters.
However, INEC observed that the petitioners did not provide a clear contact address, phone numbers, or email addresses for all their representatives, as required by Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The submission only included the lead petitioner’s phone number and a general address listed as “Okene, Kogi State.”
INEC reaffirmed that the recall process is a constitutional right of registered voters in a constituency who have lost confidence in their representative.
If a petition meets all requirements, the commission will proceed with the verification process using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open and transparent manner.
The commission urged the petitioners to fulfill all necessary submission requirements before further action can be taken.
Meanwhile, INEC is attempting to reach the petitioners through alternative means to inform them of the deficiencies in their submission.
INEC assured the public that it remains committed to due process in handling recall petitions in line with existing laws and guidelines.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate