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| Ijese presents the petition to INEC staff |
In a typical Nigerian political landscape turn of events, constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District are said to have escalated their discontent with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by submitting a formal petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding her recall.
The petition, titled ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’, was delivered on Monday, March 24, 2025, by Charity Ijese, said to be a representative of the aggrieved voters.
The petition, backed by over 250,000 signatures—more than half of the district’s 480,000 registered voters—cites gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceitful behavior as the primary reasons for their loss of confidence in the suspended senator.
The move follows her six-month suspension by the Senate for misconduct, including a public altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petitioners invoked Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, empowering them to demand the recall of a lawmaker who fails to meet their expectations. The petition also accuses Akpoti-Uduaghan of evading due process and tarnishing the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The constituents said, “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.”
They affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged by virtue of an Appeal Court decision in October 2023 but said the petition arose as a result of their loss of confidence in her representation.
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.
“By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than 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,” the constituents said.
The female federal lawmaker was involved in a seat arrangement dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The lawmaker accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. Senate subsequently suspended her for six months for misconduct.
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