A group of constituents from the Kogi Central Senatorial District has filed a petition with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative of the district in the National Assembly.
The petition, submitted by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents, was officially received at the INEC headquarters by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Entitled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” the document outlines the reasons for the recall effort.
The constituents said, “In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.”
They stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan was declared the winner following a decision by the Appeal Court in October 2023; however, they indicated that the petition was prompted by their diminished trust in her ability to represent them.
“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 behaviour that has not only embarassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.
“By this petition, which we have made sure 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,” the constituents said.
A female member of the federal legislature engaged in a disagreement over seating arrangements with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She alleged that Akpabio had committed acts of sexual harassment and misused his position. As a result, the Senate imposed a six-month suspension on her for misconduct.
