INEC Faults Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha, Cites Incomplete Documentation

INEC Faults Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha, Cites Incomplete Documentation

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has found fault with the petition submitted for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti.

This was disclosed via a statement signed by the INEC’s National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, today.

According to Olumekun, during its regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Commission highlighted critical deficiencies in the petition that could hinder the recall process.

The petition, which purportedly included signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in five local government areas of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene, was accompanied by six bags of documents.

However, INEC pointed out that the petitioners failed to provide essential contact information as mandated by the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.

“The representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s), and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter.

“The address given is simply ‘Okene, Kogi State,’ which is not specific enough for us to reach them. Only the lead petitioner’s telephone number was provided, leaving the other representatives without any means of contact.”

The Commission emphasized that the recall process is a constitutional right of the voters, who must express a loss of confidence in their elected representative.

“Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the Commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters that signed the petition only.

“The petitioners and the member whose recall is sought shall be at liberty to nominate agents to observe the verification, while interested observers and the media will also be accredited. At each Polling Unit, signatories to the petition shall be verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS),” INEC noted.

INEC reassured the public that it remains committed to adhering to the legal framework governing the recall process. “We urge the public to disregard any speculations or insinuations circulating on social media regarding this matter,” Olumekun added.

As it stands, the Commission is making efforts to notify the petitioners of the situation through alternative means, pending their compliance with the necessary regulations.

If the petitioners rectify the identified issues, INEC will announce the next steps in accordance with the law.