Respite For Natasha As INEC Rejects Recall Petition
- Electoral Umpire cites failure to meet constitutional requirements
The Independent National Electoral Commission ((INEC) on Thursday declared that the petition seeking to recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
With the Electoral Commission’s declaration made on Thursday via its official X handle, respite has come for the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS).
According to INEC; “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
The latest development is coming on the heels of Natasha’s massive homecoming reception during the Sallah holiday as well as INEC’s initial acceptance of the petition, after contact details and addresses by the petitioners were eventually submitted as requested.
Already, some commentators are suggesting that the Electoral umpire’s announcement that the petition has failed at this critical stage, may signal the final nail on the process considered as politically-motivated and a witch-hunt of the Kogi Central Senator by the State government and some opposing forces who want her out of the way ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the recall process is currently facing a legal challenge at the Federal High Court in Lokoja that earlier issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from acting on any recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Court had based its ruling on allegations of fraudulent signatures cited by the Senator and accordingly scheduled the case for hearing on May 6, 2025.
Interestingly, the recall process initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been tainted with allegations that political allies of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello are behind the moves because the Lawmaker has been an outspoken critic of the Kogi political establishment, particularly the administration of the immediate past governor.
Available reports on many social media platforms indicate that most of the voters were coerced into endorsing the recall petition under the pretence of that the Kogi State government was organisation an empowerment programme for them.
More details to come…
