Residents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have formally requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate proceedings for the recall of their representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing a breakdown in trust.
On Monday, March 24, 2025, Charity Ijese, speaking on behalf of the concerned constituents, delivered the petition to INEC’s office in Abuja. The petition, named “Request for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Breach of Trust,” accuses the senator of serious misconduct and unethical behaviour.
The petitioners referenced Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and INEC’s official recall procedures, emphasising their discontent with Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct during her time in office. They outlined a series of allegations including negligence of duty, abuse of authority, and dishonesty, which they argue have harmed the reputation of both the Senate and the people of Kogi Central.
“We have lost confidence in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her actions, which include a series of missteps and a failure to properly serve the interests of our district, have left us with no choice but to seek her removal. The signatures of over half the registered voters in Kogi Central back this petition, and we demand that INEC move forward with the recall process,” the petitioners declared.
The senator, who ascended to office following an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023, had previously engaged in a public dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of harassment, a claim that eventually led to her six-month suspension by the Senate.
As the petition moves forward, INEC will be tasked with reviewing the complaints and determining whether the legal criteria for a recall have been met.
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