A group of constituents from the Kogi Central Senatorial District formally submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and called for the recall of their representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, was accused of misconduct and loss of public confidence.
The petition titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” was presented by Charity Ijese on behalf of the petitioners.
It was submitted at the INEC headquarters in Abuja and received by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Anthony.
The petitioners cited Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions and emphasized their dissatisfaction with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure which began following an Appeal Court decision in October 2023.
The petition read: “This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.”
The group made it known that their demand is backed by signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, and urged INEC to “immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall” and declare Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat vacant.
Recall that on March 7, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for breach of the Red Chamber’s rules.
This followed her sexual assault allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
