The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally received a petition from constituents of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding the commencement of her recall process.
The petition was submitted on Monday at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja and was received by the commission’s secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, is currently serving a suspension for allegedly violating Senate rules.
According to the petitioners, more than 250,000 constituents signed the petition, out of approximately 480,000 registered voters in the senatorial district.
The document, titled Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’, outlines various allegations against the senator, including misconduct, abuse of office, and disregard for due process.
The petition reads:
“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, hereby invoke our rights under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to formally demand the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate.”
Citing Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s guidelines, the petitioners assert their legal grounds for the recall process.
They accuse the senator of actions that have allegedly embarrassed the people of Kogi Central and undermined the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and democratic institutions.
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions,” the petition states.
The petitioners further demand immediate action from INEC:
“By this petition, which we have ensured is signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
Leave a Reply