A group of registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District has submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the recall of their senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The petition, dated March 21, 2025, cites a loss of confidence in the senator due to alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, and evasion of due process.
According to the document addressed to INEC’s chairman in Abuja, the petitioners invoked their constitutional rights under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and INEC’s guidelines for recall petitions. They claim that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions have embarrassed the people of Kogi Central and tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate.
The petitioners also referenced the senator’s election victory, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 31, 2023. She had contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was declared the winner of the February 25, 2023, Kogi Central Senatorial election.
The petition further alleges that her leadership has been marked by deceitful behavior, leading to a breach of trust between her and the people she represents. The voters assert that the petition is signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, meeting the legal requirements for a recall process.
They have urged INEC to commence the constitutional and procedural steps necessary to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.
As of now, neither Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan nor INEC has publicly responded to the petition.
