The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. The commission stated that the petition failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
INEC disclosed this on Thursday through its official X handle, emphasizing that a valid recall petition must be supported by more than half of the registered voters in the senator’s constituency.
“The total number of registered voters in 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,” said INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
However, after verifying the submission from the petitioners, INEC found only 208,132 valid signatures/thumbprints—falling short of the required threshold.
This comes weeks after INEC initially rejected the recall petition due to missing contact details. Though the petitioners later resubmitted it with the required information, the electoral body has now ruled that the petition remains invalid.
“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 concluded.
With this decision, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains in office, as the recall effort has effectively been nullified.
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