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Why we Rejected Petition to Recall Senator Natasha – INEC
Abuja, April 3, 2025 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing failure to meet the required threshold of signatures from registered voters.
In a statement released on Thursday, INEC disclosed that after conducting a physical verification of the signatures and thumbprints submitted by petitioners, only 208,132 signatures were ascertained. This represents 43.86% of the total 474,554 registered voters in the senatorial district, falling short of the constitutional requirement of 237,278 signatures (50%+1).
The recall process, governed by Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), mandates that more than half of registered voters in a senatorial district must endorse a recall petition before further action is taken. With the submitted signatures falling short by 29,146, INEC has confirmed that no further action will be taken on the matter.
“The Commission assured Nigerians that the process would be handled with fairness to all parties and in line with legal provisions. Following the verification exercise, the petition does not meet the constitutional requirement, and as such, the recall process is terminated,” the statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, read in part.
INEC noted that the verification exercise covered all 902 polling units across 57 Registration Areas in the five Local Government Areas of Kogi Central. It further stated that a public notice has been issued regarding the decision, with details of the disaggregated verification results available on its website and social media platforms.
This development brings an end to the recall process, marking a significant political event in Kogi Central. Observers note that the failed recall attempt reflects the challenges of mobilizing a sufficient number of voters to meet the stringent constitutional requirements for such an action.
PRESS RELEASE
OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW OF SIGNATURES/THUMBPRINTS OF THE PETITIONERS FOR THE RECALL OF THE SENATOR REPRESENTING KOGI CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT
The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 3rd April 2025. Among other issues, the meeting considered and approved the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The Commission had assured Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and our Regulations and Guidelines. First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition. Secondly, we notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published the notice on our website. Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law. This exercise has now been completed.
For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency. The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters.
Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator.
In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a Public Notice to that effect which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate.
The Public Notice, along with a summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by Local Government Areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information.
Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Thursday 3rd April 2025
