The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the receipt of addresses, phone numbers, and email contacts of signatories to the petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. According to him, the petitioners provided the additional details in a formal letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
This development follows INEC’s earlier concerns on Tuesday, when it noted that the petitioners had failed to comply fully with the required procedures by omitting crucial contact details.
Olumekun stated that INEC would now proceed with scrutinizing the list of signatories, paving the way for the next phase of the recall process: verifying the authenticity of the voters who endorsed the petition. He emphasized that, per the electoral guidelines, more than 50 percent of registered voters in Kogi Central must have signed the petition for the recall process to advance.
“In accordance with Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a formal notification has been sent to the Senator concerned. This letter has also been copied to the Senate’s presiding officer and published on the Commission’s website,” Olumekun added.
He reassured Nigerians that the verification process would be transparent and that the outcome would be made public. The result of this exercise will determine INEC’s next course of action.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan has been at odds with the Senate leadership, culminating in her six-month suspension. She, however, denies any wrongdoing and has taken legal action to challenge her suspension.
In response to the controversy, a significant portion of her constituents—over 50 percent of registered voters in Kogi Central—submitted the recall petition, citing a loss of confidence in her representation
