A FRESH political twist has emerged in Kogi Central as the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been officially declared unsuccessful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
INEC confirmed on Thursday via its official X handle that the petition to recall the senator did not meet the constitutional threshold stipulated in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
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“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” INEC stated.
Nigeria’s constitution sets a high bar for the recall of an elected senator. Section 69(a) specifies that such a petition must be signed by more than one-half of the total registered voters in the senator’s constituency. In Kogi Central, this means at least 237,278 out of the 474,554 registered voters needed to sign the petition for it to proceed.
However, INEC disclosed that after verifying the signatures submitted by the petitioners, only 208,132 signatures were ascertained, falling short of the required threshold. This discrepancy led to the dismissal of the petition.
“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners,” said Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee.
This outcome effectively halts any further action on the recall bid, reinforcing the constitutional safeguards designed to prevent the arbitrary removal of elected officials.
The move to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was initiated by some of her constituents following her suspension from the Senate for allegedly breaching the Red Chamber’s rules. The senator has been a polarising figure, gaining national attention in recent months after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim he strongly denied.
Her suspension and the recall attempt sparked political tension within Kogi Central, with opinions sharply divided. Some constituents viewed the recall process as a democratic tool to ensure representation, particularly after her suspension. Others saw it as a politically motivated attempt to silence a vocal lawmaker.
Despite the suspension and recall attempt, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains a significant political force. Her return to her constituency earlier this week was marked by a large public gathering in Okehi Local Government Area, where she dismissed attempts to sideline her.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land,” she declared to a cheering crowd. This public show of support suggests that, regardless of the recall setback, she retains a solid political base in Kogi Central.
The failed recall petition highlights the structural and practical challenges of recalling an elected senator in Nigeria.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, no senator has ever been successfully recalled, raising questions about whether the constitutional requirements are too stringent or if public mobilisation for recalls remains weak.
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Additionally, the situation underscores the power dynamics at play between lawmakers and their constituents. While the recall process exists as a constitutional right, the execution of such measures often faces logistical hurdles, political interference, and legal complexities.
