I’ve not received recall notice from INEC, says Natasha
28 March 2025 |
1:41 am
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has denied receiving any notification of a petition for her recall from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
• Make recall process transparent, fair, Electoral College urges INEC
• CD, Arewa youth urge Kogi senator to apologise, end rift
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has denied receiving any notification of a petition for her recall from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In case she receives it and the recall process gets underway, the Electoral College Nigeria wants INEC to ensure that the process adheres strictly to established guidelines.
However, Campaign for Democracy (CD) and Arewa Youth Council for Justice called on Akpoti-Uduaghan to apologise to Nigerians for gross misconduct on the world stage and end the controversy surrounding her suspension by apologising to the National Assembly.
When contacted for confirmation of the notice from INEC, the Kogi senator said she had not received any notice from the electoral body, questioning if INEC publishing the notice on its social media handles suffices. She said, “I haven’t been served. I will ask my lawyers.”
On Wednesday, INEC officially accepted a petition seeking the recall of the senator after the petitioners purportedly provided the required contact details and address.
This came a day after INEC initially rejected the petition, citing the absence of verifiable contact information. INEC has now moved to the next phase, where it will scrutinise the submitted signatures to verify if they meet the constitutional requirement of more than 50 per cent of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central.
The electoral umpire also confirmed that a formal notification letter had been sent to Akpoti-Uduaghan, informing her of the petition for her recall.
IN a statement signed by the Executive Director, Kunle Lawal, the electoral college implored INEC to conduct the process transparently and fairly.
It warned that any attempt to short-circuit or politicise the process would erode the credibility of democratic institutions. Urging all stakeholders to uphold the legal framework and allow the process to unfold without interference, the group added: “We emphasise that INEC must conduct this process with transparency, fairness and strict adherence to its guidelines, ensuring that the will of the people is not manipulated.
“As a non-partisan institution, the Electoral College Nigeria does not take sides in political contests but remains committed to educating Nigerians on their rights and responsibilities.”
It urged all stakeholders to respect the legal framework and allow the process to run its course without interference.
THE call on Akpoti-Uduaghan to apologise was in response to the escalating verbal exchange between Sen Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi Central) and two-time minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili.
CD said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions since the “avoidable” crisis began a few weeks ago, put Nigeria’s image on trial before the comity of nations. The foremost civil society organisation expressed concern that rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, Akpoti-Uduaghan chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”
In a statement, yesterday, signed by its President, CD said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy had cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.
According to the organisation, this is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria. The statement, however, advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.
In a statement signed by its National President, Isak Mammud, and National Secretary, Timothy Isaiah, the group expressed concern over the issue, warning that it was taking a disturbing turn and should be resolved immediately.
It reads: “What happened during the Senate public hearing could not have happened in the first place had Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan issued an apology to the Senate a long time ago.
“It is sad that mere change of sitting position has been dragged to such an extent that Nigeria’s image abroad is being dented. We are troubled by the latest developments, including the shouting match during the public hearing, as well as the recall process.”
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