JUST IN: INEC notifies Natasha of recall petition, commences process

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially notified Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative of Kogi Central, about the petition from her constituents seeking her recall from the Senate.

In a letter dated March 26 and signed by INEC Secretary Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, the Commission stated that its action was in accordance with Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The letter reads: “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.”

“This notification is in line with Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024. A copy of this letter has also been sent to the presiding officer of the Senate and published simultaneously on the Commission’s website.”

In a subsequent update, INEC confirmed that the petitioners, who submitted the recall petition and accompanying signatures earlier this week, have now provided their contact details, including addresses and phone numbers, as required by Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024.

“The next step is to verify the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ensure that the petition is backed by more than half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency,” INEC stated.

The Commission noted that this verification process will occur in the coming days, with the results to be publicly released. The outcome will determine the subsequent actions to be taken by INEC.

“We assure Nigerians that the process will be transparent and open,” a statement from INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed on Wednesday evening.