By Caroline Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received a petition from constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District demanding the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
A copy of the petition, obtained by The Nigerian Observer, shows that over 250,000 constituents signed the document—surpassing the 50 percent threshold required to initiate a recall process out of the district’s 480,000 registered voters.
The petition was submitted just three days after a Federal High Court in Lokoja overturned an earlier ruling that had barred INEC from accepting recall petitions. In its ruling on Friday, the court reaffirmed that the recall process is constitutionally recognized and falls within the democratic rights of the constituents.
However, last Thursday, the same court had issued an interim injunction restraining INEC, its officials, and agents from receiving or acting on any recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court also barred the commission from conducting a referendum on the matter until the determination of the Motion on Notice.
The injunction followed an ex-parte application filed by Anebe Jacob Ogirima and four other registered voters, who claimed the petition contained fictitious signatures. Their counsel, Smart Nwachimere, argued that fraudulent names had been included in the petition.
Following the latest ruling, INEC is now restricted from accepting or acting upon any recall petition found to contain fraudulent signatures.
The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
