Akpoti-Uduaghan faces recall as constituents submit petition to INEC

A group of constituents from the Kogi Central Senatorial District on Monday formally submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and called for the recall of their representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The lawmaker, who is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, was accused of misconduct and loss of public confidence.

The petition titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” was presented by Charity Ijese on behalf of the petitioners.

It was received at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Anthony.

The petitioners, who cited Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions, emphasized their dissatisfaction with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure which began following an Appeal Court decision in October 2023.

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The petition read: “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 group claimed that their demand is backed by signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, and urged INEC to “immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall” and declare Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat vacant.

The Senate on March 7 suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for breach of the Red Chamber’s rules.

This followed her sexual assault allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

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