Petitioners Remain Resolute As INEC Halts Recall Process Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discontinuing the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, petitioners from Kogi Central Senatorial District have vowed to press on with their efforts, insisting the lawmaker no longer represents their collective will.
INEC announced on Thursday that the recall process had been halted due to a shortfall in the number of verified signatures. Of the 250,000 signatories reportedly collected by the petitioners, only 208,132 were authenticated—falling short of the required 237,278 signatures by 29,146. This threshold represents 50 per cent of the 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district.
Reacting to the news, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to her supporters, family, and the electoral commission. “On God, it’s victory for the people of Nigeria. One battle down, two more to go. INEC Nigeria, you did well,” she posted on Facebook.
However, in a strong counter-response, the petitioners expressed their disappointment over the outcome but praised INEC for validating a substantial number of signatures. In a statement signed by their spokesperson, Salihu Habib, the group claimed the number of validated signatures proves that a significant portion of the electorate has withdrawn support from the Senator.
“This validation confirms our stance that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan no longer commands the trust of Kogi Central. INEC’s verification of over 208,000 signatures is proof that the people are ready for change,” the statement read.
They accused the Senator of divisive rhetoric and alleged misconduct, insisting that their quest to recall her was non-negotiable. “We will continue to explore all legal and constitutional avenues to ensure our voices are heard. After God, power belongs to the people,” the petitioners added.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, alleged that the recall campaign was orchestrated by political rivals, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello. She also accused Akpabio of repeated sexual harassment and promised to release evidence when the time is right.
Speaking on *Politics Today*, she questioned the credibility of the recall process, pointing out inconsistencies in the petition, including false addresses and unverifiable signatories. “Even with the 208,000 signatures, I believe only a fraction would have come forward to confirm they signed,” she said.
Meanwhile, INEC has refuted claims of bias in handling the recall. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, explained that the initial delay was due to the petitioners’ failure to include an address in the cover letter, as required by regulation. He affirmed that the Commission acted within its constitutional and legal framework.
Political observers have used this incident to highlight the challenges of recalling elected lawmakers in Nigeria. Experts, including former Senate Minority Leader Olorunimbe Mamora and ex-lawmaker Bernard Mikko, noted that constitutional barriers, unreliable voter registers, and a lack of political will have made recalls virtually impossible in the country’s democratic history.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also addressed criticism surrounding her use of a helicopter to visit her constituency amid a government-imposed ban on rallies and road restrictions. She defended the move, stating it was a safety measure advised by her husband and stressed that no laws were broken.
With INEC’s ruling in her favour, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan retains her seat, but the determined stance of her opponents ensures the political battle in Kogi Central is far from over.
