The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally notified the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of an ongoing petition by her constituents seeking her recall from the Senate.
In a letter dated March 26, signed by INEC Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, the commission stated that its action was in line with Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the legal process for recalling a serving legislator.
“I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the Senate,” the letter read.
Mrs. Anthony further noted that the notification was in compliance with Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024, adding that the letter was also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on INEC’s official website.
Meanwhile, in an update on the recall process, INEC revealed that the petitioners who submitted the petition along with bags of collected signatures had yet to provide their contact addresses and phone numbers, as required by Clause 2(a) of the Recall Guidelines.
The electoral body stated that the next phase of the process involves scrutinizing the list of signatories to verify whether the petition has been signed by more than 50% of the registered voters in the constituency.
“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission,” said INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement on Wednesday evening.
INEC further assured Nigerians that the process would be open and transparent.