By Emmanuel Adegbite
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of deliberately stalling the service of a recall petition against her. She alleges that INEC’s actions amount to sabotage, calling into question the commission’s neutrality and commitment to due process.
The move to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan comes in the wake of her controversial suspension from the Senate on March 6, 2025. The suspension was imposed over allegations of “gross misconduct,” reportedly linked to a dispute concerning seating arrangements during plenary sessions. This disciplinary action sparked intense debate, with her supporters labeling it a politically motivated attempt to silence her, while her detractors insisted that the Senate had acted within its rights.
Following the suspension, certain political groups initiated a petition to recall her from the Senate, citing dissatisfaction with her conduct. However, the process has been marred by allegations of manipulation and political interference. A civic organization known as Action Collective has accused influential political figures, including a former governor of Kogi State, of orchestrating the recall by funding a falsified signature collection effort. The group claims that over $2 million has been funneled into the campaign to procure fake endorsements in support of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly criticized INEC for what she describes as an intentional delay in processing the petition. In her statement, she questioned why the commission had yet to serve her the petition, despite the stipulated legal framework for recall procedures. She argued that INEC’s reluctance to act promptly suggests a hidden agenda, possibly orchestrated by her political opponents who seek to undermine her representation.
In response, INEC has cited procedural deficiencies as the reason for the delay. The commission stated that the recall petition failed to provide complete contact details of the petitioners’ representatives, which are necessary for verification and compliance with its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall. Without these details, INEC maintained that it could not legally proceed with the next steps of the recall process. The commission assured the public that it is exploring alternative means to notify the petitioners of these deficiencies, thereby ensuring that due process is followed.
The recall effort took another dramatic turn on March 20, 2025, when the Federal High Court in Lokoja issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from accepting or acting on any recall petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court’s decision was based on concerns over the authenticity of the signatures gathered, a crucial factor in determining whether the recall process meets legal standards. The court has set a hearing for May 6, 2025, where the validity of the petition will be examined in greater detail.
This legal intervention raises broader questions about the integrity of the recall process in Nigeria. Critics argue that recall petitions are increasingly being weaponized for political vendettas rather than serving as a tool for genuine democratic accountability. The case against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan underscores these concerns, as various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, have expressed fears that undue political influence may be compromising the legitimacy of the process.
Several advocacy groups have come out in support of the embattled senator. One such organization, Womanifesto, a gender equality advocacy group, has condemned the recall efforts, arguing that they are politically motivated and aimed at suppressing a female lawmaker who has been vocal on critical national issues. The group urged INEC to resist external pressures and uphold the rule of law in handling the petition.
Similarly, members of the senator’s constituency have voiced their opposition to the recall, insisting that she was duly elected and should be allowed to complete her tenure without undue interference. They have called on INEC to act transparently and ensure that any recall process is free from coercion or manipulation.
The controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall process is a litmus test for Nigeria’s electoral integrity. The allegations of manipulation, INEC’s delayed response, and the subsequent legal battles all point to the complexities involved in ensuring a fair and democratic recall process.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the judiciary, INEC, and other key stakeholders to see whether justice will prevail or if political interference will dictate the outcome. Regardless of the final decision, this case sets a crucial precedent for future recall petitions in Nigeria, underscoring the need for transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to democratic principles.
