ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to following due process in the ongoing attempt to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a statement on Tuesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed that the commission had reviewed the recall petition but identified missing contact details of the petitioners.
“The petition from Kogi Central Senatorial District was accompanied by six bags of documents, which reportedly contain signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in 57 registration areas (wards) spanning the five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene,” Olumekun stated.
However, INEC observed that the petitioners failed to provide essential contact information, including specific addresses, multiple telephone numbers, and email addresses.
“The representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s), and email address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition.
“The only address given is ‘Okene, Kogi State,’ which is not a definite location for contacting them. Furthermore, only the telephone number of ‘the lead petitioner’ was provided, rather than contact details for all the representatives,” he explained.
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Olumekun emphasized that the recall process is strictly guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024. He reiterated that INEC would only proceed with verification once all requirements are met.
“The recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in their representative.
“Once the petition meets submission requirements, the commission will commence the verification process in each polling unit through an open procedure restricted to registered voters who signed the petition.
“Both the petitioners and the legislator facing recall will have the opportunity to nominate agents to observe the verification, while accredited observers and the media will also be allowed to monitor the process,” he said.
He further noted that “At each polling unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).”
In light of the missing contact details, Olumekun revealed that INEC is working to notify the petitioners through alternative means.
“If the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of our regulations regarding submission, the commission will announce the next steps in line with existing laws, regulations, and guidelines,” he added.
INEC assured the public that the recall process would be handled transparently and in accordance with the law.
The commission also urged Nigerians to ignore speculation and misinformation circulating on social media.