The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written to notify Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, about the petition by constituents seeking her recall from the national assembly.
INEC said it has also received the contact details of the petitioners.
“Pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the senate,” the letter reads.
“The notification is in line with the provisions of clause 2 (a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
“This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the senate and simultaneously published on the commission’s website. Thank you.”
The document bore the signature of Ruth Oriaran Anthony, who serves as the commission’s secretary.
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In a separate development, INEC announced on Wednesday that it has obtained the revised contact information from those advocating for the senator’s recall.
According to Sam Olumekun, INEC’s national commissioner and head of voter education, the commission has formally dispatched a notice of the petition to the senator’s official address.
A copy was also sent to the senate’s presiding officer, and the notice has been made publicly available on INEC’s website.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency. This will be done in the coming days,” Olumekun said.
“The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan recently alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her.
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Her accusation followed a heated dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber, which led to a confrontation between her and Akpabio.
As a result of the incident, the Senate imposed a six-month suspension on her, citing gross misconduct.
Meanwhile, some of her constituents have initiated a recall process, accusing her of misconduct, abuse of office, and deceptive practices.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, has refuted all allegations, describing the recall attempt as an orchestrated effort to silence her.
