The electorates in Kogi Central yesterday submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the recall of their representative in the senate, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The petition was received by the secretary to the commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony at the commission’s head office in the FCT.
The process for recalling an elected legislator in Nigeria is a constitutional mechanism that allows constituents to withdraw their representative from office before the end of their term.
This process is outlined in Sections 69 and 110 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and further detailed in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) regulations.
The electorates accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process and deceitful behaviour that has embarrassed the people of the district.
The petitioners said they were acting in pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.
Speaking after receiving the petition, Oriaran-Anthony assured that INEC would adhere strictly to due process regarding recall as outlined in the Constitution.
The constituents claimed that over 250,000 registered voters, more than half of the senatorial district’s electorates, signed the petition, thereby meeting constitutional requirements for Natasha’s recall.
The total number of registered voters in the district is 580,000.
The petition, entitled ‘Constituents’ petition for the recall of senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on the grounds of loss of confidence,” called for the senator’s removal over a series of allegations, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour.
The petition reads in part: “We, the undersigned, being duly registered voters of the 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.
“We urge INEC, as a constitutionally mandated electoral body, to act with urgency and impartiality in processing this petition, and we look forward to INEC’s impartial actions in this regard in the interest of democratic accountability, governance integrity and the peace and progress of the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, Kogi State and our great country, Nigeria.
“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 embarrassed 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 immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant.”
Speaking after submitting the petition, a representative of the senatorial zone, Mr Salihu Habeeb said the community had united in calling for a more accountable representative.
He flayed Akpoti-Uduaghan for failing to engage with her constituents, even offering no message in response to their concerns.
“From the process, the Kogi Central indigenous people have carried out so far, this would be the first recall that will be successful. We have spoken with one voice. We need a credible representative,” he said.
Another representative, Mr Hamza Yakubu, urged INEC to act swiftly on the petition, saying their action was driven by logic not emotion.
“We believe that the recall process will be successful. The commission should review the submitted petition and immediately move into action,” Yakubu said.
The submission of the petition to INEC followed the lifting of the order stopping the commission from receiving it by the court.
Recall that the lawmaker was suspended on March 6 for six months after a dispute with the senate president, Mr Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.
On March 22, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja lifted a restraining order that had prevented INEC from receiving the petition.
The court ruled that the recall process was constitutionally valid, affirming the civic rights of the constituents to initiate such a procedure.
It encouraged the petitioners to continue exercising their rights peacefully.
Similarly, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi on Monday vacated the ex-parte injunction earlier granted to Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 20.
Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court, who gave the order setting aside the injunction he granted, also ordered the acceleration of the case before him.
Dashen had on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The court also stopped INEC from conducting any referendum upon such petition to initiate a re-call process of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.
But INEC, through its Counsel, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu, made an oral application for the setting aside of the ex parte injunction granted Akpoti-Uduaghan and for an accelerated hearing of the case.
Aliyu contended that the Federal High Court by provisions in the constitution does not have the jurisdiction to stop a constitutional body like INEC from carrying out its constitutional function.
