The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received a petition demanding the recall of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
The petition, submitted on Monday, was acknowledged by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
In the document, constituents cited a loss of confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and disregard for due process.
The petition, reportedly signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, invokes Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution and INEC’s recall guidelines.
Petitioners urged INEC to initiate the necessary legal and procedural steps to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.
The petition reads: “CONSTITUENTS’ PETITION FOR THE RECALL OF SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN ON GROUNDS OF LOSS OF CONFIDENCE
“Dear Sir,
1. We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.
2. In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.
3. Kindly recall that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged as our Senator by the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, which affirmed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as the winner of the February 25, 2023, Kogi Central Senatorial election.
4. This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of the Kogi Central constituency but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s
democratic institutions.
5. By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than one-half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”