Natasha Akpoti’s Recall Petition Does Not Meet Constitutional Requirements – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, does not meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The commission made this announcement via their X page on Thursday.
A group of constituents, under the aegis of Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, had earlier submitted the recall petition, alleging loss of confidence in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition claimed to have garnered signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district. However, INEC’s review concluded that the petition failed to satisfy the necessary criteria for a recall process.
In a detailed breakdown, INEC revealed that the petitioners failed to gather the requisite number of signatures/thumbprints, which must represent more than one-half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
“For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.
“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters,” INEC said.
The total number of registered voters in the district is 474,554, meaning that at least 237,278 signatures were needed.
However, only 208,132 signatures were collected, falling short by 29,146.
“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.
“This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” INEC declared.
In line with the legal requirements, INEC also issued a Public Notice regarding the outcome of the review.
The notice, alongside a summary of the signatures/thumbprints disaggregated by Local Government Areas, is available for public viewing on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
