The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced that the petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, does not meet the required number of valid signatures to proceed.
During its regular meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025, INEC reviewed the petition and conducted a detailed assessment of the signatures submitted by the petitioners. The commission emphasized its commitment to handling the situation fairly and in accordance with the law, ensuring transparency throughout the process.
For a recall petition to be valid under Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), it must secure the signatures of more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. The total number of registered voters in Kogi Central is 474,554, meaning that at least 237,278 signatures are necessary for the recall petition to be successful.
After analyzing the submitted signatures, INEC found that only 208,132 valid signatures were obtained from across the 902 polling units in the district. This represents approximately 43.86% of the registered voters, falling short by 29,146 signatures of the required threshold.
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Major General Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, explained that the commission had taken several steps to ensure the integrity of the process. These steps included verifying the petitioners’ compliance with legal requirements, notifying Senator Akpoti of the petition, and publishing relevant notices to keep the public informed.
Consequently, INEC stated that no further action will be taken regarding the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti, given the insufficient number of valid signatures. The commission has issued a public notice detailing its findings, which has also been shared with the presiding officer of the Senate.
For public transparency, the summary of the review of signatures, disaggregated by local government areas, is now available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms. The commission encourages citizens to stay informed about the electoral processes and to participate actively in future elections and civic engagements.
This development marks a significant moment in Kogi Central’s political landscape, as it reflects both the challenges and the processes involved in the recall of elected officials in Nigeria. The announcement serves as a reminder of the importance of voter engagement and meeting constitutional requirements in the democratic process.
