INEC Notifies Akpabio Of Failed Move To Recall Natasha From Senate

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially informed the Senate President Godswill Akpabio of its decision to reject a petition seeking to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from the Senate, for failing to meet constitutional requirement.

In a statement released on Thursday, INEC explained that the petition failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to INEC, the petition, which was submitted on March 24, 2025, did not satisfy the legal threshold necessary for initiating a recall process.

“The petition has NOT met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the statement read.

INEC disclosed that the petition was signed by 208,132 out of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central, representing 43.86% of the constituency’s electorate. However, this falls short of the constitutional requirement, which mandates that “at least 50% + 1 of registered voters in the constituency” must support a recall process.

As a result, INEC confirmed that “NO FURTHER ACTION shall be taken on the petition.” The commission based its decision on Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for the Recall of a Member of the National Assembly, House of Assembly of a State, or Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (2024).

A public notice was issued on Thursday, April 3, 2025, formally announcing the decision. The notice has been forwarded to the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and key members of the National Assembly, including Senate President Akpabio.