Reports have also surfaced suggesting that some voters were misled into endorsing the recall petition under the guise of an empowerment initiative. Additionally, a Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier issued an interim injunction preventing INEC from acting on any recall petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing allegations of fraudulent signatures.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that it failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary for such a process.
The electoral body made this known in a statement posted on its official Facebook account on Thursday afternoon. According to INEC, the petitioners did not fulfill the provisions outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates specific thresholds for a recall to proceed.
This development follows INEC’s initial acceptance of the petition last week after petitioners submitted the required contact details and addresses. At the time, the Commission had announced it was moving to the verification phase to ascertain whether the petition had the backing of over 50 per cent of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
However, Thursday’s announcement signals that the petition did not pass the verification stage. INEC has yet to provide precise details on the specific shortcomings that led to its rejection.
The recall effort has been steeped in controversy, with allegations that it was politically orchestrated by associates of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her vocal stance against the Kogi political elite, has been at loggerheads with the state’s power structure.
Reports have also surfaced suggesting that some voters were misled into endorsing the recall petition under the guise of an empowerment initiative. Additionally, a Federal High Court in Lokoja had earlier issued an interim injunction preventing INEC from acting on any recall petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing allegations of fraudulent signatures.
The legal battle over the recall is set to continue, with a court hearing scheduled for May 6, 2025. Meanwhile, INEC’s decision to reject the petition raises fresh questions about the credibility of the entire process and the political undertones surrounding it.
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