The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially received a petition from constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.
The petition, dated March 21, 2025, was submitted to INEC’s headquarters in Abuja and acknowledged on March 24, 2025.
In the document, the petitioners, who identify as duly registered voters of Kogi Central, cited loss of confidence in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and deceitful behavior. They claim that her actions have tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and democratic institutions.
The petition references Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and INEC’s recall guidelines, asserting that more than half of registered voters in Kogi Central have signed the request. The signatories demand that INEC immediately initiate the constitutional and procedural process for her removal and declare the seat vacant.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was declared the winner of the February 25, 2023, Kogi Central Senatorial election following a Court of Appeal ruling on October 31, 2023, which upheld her victory as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
INEC is yet to release an official statement regarding the petition or outline its next steps. If validated, the recall process could lead to a fresh election in Kogi Central.
