Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not dismissing a flawed recall petition against her. She argues that INEC’s guidance to petitioners undermines neutrality. The case exposes flaws in Nigeria’s recall process, raising concerns about public trust and the integrity of democratic institutions amidst political tensions.
AJAOKUTA, Kogi State — In a fierce salvo that has rocked the corridors of Nigerian politics, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi Central, has lashed out at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its apparent reluctance to outrightly dismiss a recall petition deemed fatally flawed.
In a letter issued through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, on 26 March 2025, Natasha accused INEC of partiality and bias, claiming that the electoral body’s failure to reject the petition outright has compromised the integrity of the recall process.
At the heart of the controversy is a petition which, on paper, boasts signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district.
However, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed in his press release on 25 March 2025 that the petition fell short of crucial procedural requirements.
Specifically, the submission lacked definitive contact addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses for the petitioners as mandated under Clause 1(f) of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
Senator Natasha’s response has been nothing short of scathing.
“Lawfully, the Commission should have declared the petition incompetent for being patently defective and thereby brought an end to this process,” she asserted.
According to her lawyer’s letter, INEC’s decision to offer the petitioners guidance on how to correct these deficiencies, rather than dismissing the petition outright, is tantamount to taking sides.
“Your position as disclosed in your press release on 25 March 2025 shows that the Commission has taken sides and become partial in favour of the petitioners,” the letter reads.
The embattled lawmaker contends that by allowing the petitioners to rectify their errors, INEC is not upholding the principles of neutrality and due process that are vital for any democratic institution.
This stinging criticism opens up a broader debate about the recall mechanism in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Recall petitions are designed to give constituents a direct avenue to express their loss of confidence in an elected representative.
Yet, as this case reveals, the process is fraught with procedural pitfalls that can undermine public trust.
Critics argue that a recall process should be impervious to bureaucratic manoeuvring that might allow partisan interests to slip through.
“The proper step to maintain integrity and impartiality is to declare the petition defective and notify the petitioners accordingly,” Natasha insists, urging INEC to rebuild the dwindling public trust by acting decisively.
The controversy is further compounded by the geographic inconsistencies within the petition itself. Senator Natasha points out that the only address provided in the petition is “Okene, Kogi State”, casting serious doubt on whether the signatures truly represent the entire senatorial district.
“It is evident that the two hundred and fifty signatories, as contained in the petition, hail solely from Okene, which is hardly reflective of the diverse demography of Kogi Central,” she argued.
This observation has stirred suspicions among political pundits who contend that the recall effort might be a politically motivated stratagem designed to destabilise her mandate.
INEC, for its part, has maintained that its decision was based solely on regulatory compliance. The commission confirmed that once the petitioners supply the missing information, it will proceed with the verification of signatures at each polling unit using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
This verification process, which is set to be conducted in an open and transparent manner with the presence of accredited observers and media, is intended to safeguard the recall process from any fraudulent activities.
However, many critics, including Senator Natasha, remain unconvinced. They view INEC’s approach as a delay tactic that risks undermining the fairness of the democratic process.
As the political drama unfolds, the situation raises pressing questions about the balance between procedural rigour and the public’s right to hold their elected representatives accountable.
With trust in political institutions waning, the outcome of this controversy could set a significant precedent for future recall petitions in Nigeria.
The coming days will be critical as all eyes remain fixed on INEC’s next move, and the nation braces for further political upheaval.
- Additional report from Osaigbovo Okungbowa, Atlantic Post Senior Political Correspondent
