INEC Clarifies Recall Process: No Limit on Attempts Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that there is no limit on how many times a lawmaker can be subjected to a recall process. This comes amid the controversy surrounding a failed recall attempt against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today.” He emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution does not specify a limit on recall attempts, citing Section 69, which outlines the recall process.

The recent recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan failed after INEC found that the number of verified signatures fell short of the required 50 percent plus one of registered voters in Kogi Central. The petition, submitted on March 24 by a group led by Charity Omole, lacked the necessary contact details of petitioners, which INEC requested for compliance.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused INEC of bias, claiming the commission aided the petitioners in correcting errors in their submission. She also alleged that the petition was politically motivated and linked to an APC-affiliated group. INEC, however, denied these allegations, insisting that its actions were purely procedural.

Despite the backlash, Oyekanmi reiterated that INEC’s stance was legally justified and that the recall process remains constitutional as long as the necessary threshold is met.