In a significant development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, does not meet the constitutional requirements for such an action. This decision comes after weeks of scrutiny and follows an earlier rejection due to missing contact details and other issues. Despite the petitioners’ efforts to rectify these shortcomings, INEC maintains that the petition still falls short of the necessary legal standards.

Background of the Petition

The push to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan gained momentum following her suspension by the Senate for violating its rules. The senator had made headlines by accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual assault, a move that led to her suspension. This controversy sparked widespread debate and calls for her recall from constituents who felt she had lost their trust.

The petition, submitted with six bags of documents, claimed to have gathered signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in the Kogi Central Senatorial District. However, INEC’s initial review highlighted several deficiencies, including the lack of specific contact details for the petitioners’ representatives. The address provided, “Okene, Kogi State,” was deemed insufficient for proper communication, and only the lead petitioner’s phone number was available24.

INEC’s Position

INEC’s stance on the matter is clear: any petition for recall must strictly adhere to the constitutional and regulatory requirements. The commission reiterated that the recall process is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating a loss of confidence in their legislator. However, the petition must meet all legal and procedural requirements before INEC can proceed with verification24.

In its latest statement, INEC emphasized that the petition failed to satisfy Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the conditions for recalling a member of the National Assembly. This section stipulates that a recall petition must be signed by more than half of the registered voters in the member’s constituency15.

Implications and Next Steps

The failure of the petition to meet constitutional requirements means that INEC cannot proceed with the recall process at this stage. If the petitioners wish to continue, they must rectify the identified shortcomings and resubmit the petition. Only then can INEC consider moving forward with the verification of signatures, a process that would involve an open verification exercise restricted to registered voters who signed the petition24.

If the petition eventually meets the necessary threshold of support, INEC would conduct a referendum within 90 days from the date of receipt of the petition. This referendum would determine whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should be recalled based on the will of her constituents3.

Public Reaction and Political Implications

The decision by INEC has sparked mixed reactions from the public and political observers. Some view it as a procedural hurdle that must be respected, while others see it as an opportunity for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to continue her legislative duties. The political implications are significant, as the recall process reflects broader tensions within the political landscape of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.

Conclusion

The recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in the democratic process. While the petitioners’ efforts reflect a desire for accountability, INEC’s role is to ensure that all actions are in line with the constitution and relevant laws. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the petitioners will address the identified issues and resubmit their petition, potentially leading to a referendum that could decide the senator’s fate.

In the meantime, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended from her duties in the Senate, pending resolution of the internal disciplinary processes. The outcome of this saga will not only impact her political career but also set a precedent for future recall petitions in Nigeria, highlighting the importance of adherence to constitutional and legal requirements in such processes.