INEC Notifies Natasha, Akpabio Of Recall Process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally notified Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, of her constituents’ petition to recall her from the Senate.

In a letter dated March 26, addressed to the embattled female lawmaker and signed by the INEC Secretary, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, the Commission said its action was in pursuance of Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the Senate,” it stated.

Mrs Anthony added: “This notification is in line with the provision of Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024. This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published on the Commission’s website.”

Meanwhile, INEC, in an update on the recall exercise, said the representatives of the petitioners, who submitted the petition and bags of collected signatures a couple of days ago, have not submitted their contact addresses and phone numbers as provided for by in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of the signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one-half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission.

“We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent,” a statement signed by the INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, Sam Olumekun, on Wednesday evening stated.