New twists as Kogi Central voters submits Sen. Natasha’s recall petition to INEC

A group of registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recall the suspended senator representing the district, Barr. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The petition, dated March 21, 2025, was officially submitted on Monday, March 24, 2025, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja by the group known as Concerned Kogi Youth and Women.

Speaking on behalf of the group, its leader, Charity Ijoshe Omole, stated that they no longer have confidence in the senator.

“We have lost confidence in her because of her gross misconduct that led to her suspension in the Senate, leaving Kogi Central unrepresented,” she said.

Omole emphasized that the petition was initiated to ensure the district has proper representation in the Senate.

“We have come to recall her because we cannot afford not to be represented.”

“This petition is from Concerned Kogi Youth and Women. We, the people of Kogi Central, voted her in, and we are here to recall her.”

“We have 488,000 registered voters, and as I speak, more than 250,000 voters have signed for her recall,” she added.

The petition, addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and titled “Constituents Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence”, outlines the reasons for their demand.

“We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of 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,” the petition read.

The petitioners cited Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s regulations on recall petitions as the legal basis for their action.

They recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan was declared the senator by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 31, 2023, after it upheld the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, 2023, Kogi Central senatorial election.

However, they accused her of misconduct, abuse of office, and failure to follow due process.

“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the senator on 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,” they stated.

The petitioners urged INEC to begin the necessary constitutional and procedural steps for her recall and to declare her seat vacant.