The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed the petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, citing concerns over its credibility and failure to meet constitutional standards.
Announcing its decision on Thursday via a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, INEC stated: “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).”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio is behind the push for her removal, despite her overwhelming support from the people of her district. She insists that the recall effort is politically driven.
The controversy deepened after a viral video surfaced online, purportedly showing individuals in a closed setting allegedly forging more than 250,000 signatures submitted to INEC in support of the recall process. The footage has intensified suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the petition.
The recall attempt comes shortly after the senator was suspended for six months following her public accusation against Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment.
INEC’s rejection of the petition is seen by many as a significant win for Akpoti-Uduaghan, but the political tensions surrounding the situation remain high.