The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition from constituents seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate. The petition, reportedly signed by over 250,000 registered voters, was submitted amid growing political tensions in her senatorial district.
According to sources, the petitioners gathered signatures from over 250,000 constituents out of the 480,000+ registered voters in the district. This figure falls short of the required 50% plus one threshold needed to trigger a recall process under Nigerian electoral laws. However, the petitioners argue that their demand represents a significant portion of the electorate and should be given due consideration.
The move comes amid an ongoing political rivalry between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha, a vocal opposition figure in the Senate. While the details of the petition’s grievances have not been fully disclosed, sources indicate that they revolve around allegations of poor representation and political disagreements.
INEC is expected to review the petition and verify the signatures before deciding on the next steps. If the petition meets the constitutional requirements, a recall referendum could be scheduled to determine whether Senator Natasha will remain in office.
Senator Natasha has yet to formally respond to the recall attempt, but her supporters have dismissed the petition as politically motivated, pointing fingers at rival factions within the Senate.
INEC has assured the public that it will handle the petition in accordance with due process, emphasizing its commitment to upholding democratic principles.
More details will unfold as the electoral body reviews the petition in the coming days.
