How INEC Resisted Pressure Over Natasha’s Recall

It has been revealed how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stood its ground, insisting on strict adherence to constitutional provisions despite mounting pressure from various quarters, on recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District

INEC announced on Thursday in a statement that the petition seeking Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal from office had failed to meet legal requirements adding that the petition did not fulfill the stipulations of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

However, sources familiar with the process revealed that the commission faced significant pressure from political actors and interest groups pushing for the recall.

“There was enormous political pressure on the commission leadership to act swiftly and move forward with the recall process, but they had to follow the law,” said a source owho spoke on condition of anonymity.

Another senior official at INEC said that “INEC operates based on constitutional provisions, not political sentiments.”

The source added that “although in the past, when Senator Natasha contested for Kogi State Governor, she had tried to discredit the commission, in this case—just as it has always done—INEC addressed the issue based on its merit and in line with constitutional provisions.”

The statement, signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, read: “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”

A breakdown of INEC’s findings revealed that the petitioners failed to secure the required number of signatures/thumbprints, which must represent more than one-half of the registered voters in the senatorial district.

“For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.

“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e., 50%+1) is 237,277+1, which is at least 237,278 voters,” INEC explained.

However, only 208,132 signatures were submitted, falling short of the required threshold by 29,146 signatories.

“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.

“This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters, which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.

“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” INEC declared.