The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially confirmed that it now has the contact details of the petitioners’ representatives in the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, revealed that the petitioners had now provided the necessary contact information, including telephone numbers and email addresses, as required by INEC’s 2024 Recall Regulations and Guidelines. These details were submitted in a letter to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
This confirmation follows an earlier statement on Tuesday, where INEC noted that the petitioners had initially failed to supply the required contact details, such as phone numbers and email addresses, which are essential for the recall process. The Commission had also sent a formal notification to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan about the petition’s receipt, delivering the letter to her official address and sharing it with the presiding officer of the Senate. The letter has since been made publicly available on the INEC website.
“The contact information of the petitioners’ representatives is now complete, and the process is progressing,” Olumekun said in the statement. He also added that the next phase would involve INEC verifying the list of signatories to the petition to ensure that it is supported by over 50% of registered voters in the Kogi Central Constituency.
This verification process will be carried out in the coming days, and the outcome will determine the next steps in the recall procedure. INEC has reiterated its commitment to transparency throughout the entire process, assuring the public that updates will be made available as the procedure moves forward.
The recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was launched following several controversies, including her suspension from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” accuses her of misconduct, abuse of office, and deceit.
The public eagerly awaits the outcome of the verification process, which could be pivotal in determining whether the recall procedure proceeds.
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