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INEC Rejects Petition To Recall Senator Natasha, Declares It Inadequate

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),”

Published

9 months ago

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has not met the requirements.

In a short statement on Thursday, the electoral commission said the petition to recall Senator Natasha did not meet constitutional requirements.

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” INEC wrote on its X handle.

 

 

In an updated statement, INEC cited Section 69(a) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a petition to recall a senator needs the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the lawmaker’s 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,” the statement issued by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee Sam Olumekun read in part.

“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.”

 

The development comes weeks after the electoral body rejected the petition to recall the embattled lawmaker, citing missing contact details. The petitioners later submitted the missing item, a fact INEC acknowledged.

But on Thursday, it said the petition did not meet all requirements for the recall of Senator Natasha as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

“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,” Olumekun said.

 

Senator Natasha was suspended for breaching Senate rules, prompting some of her constituents to initiate her recall. They claimed the move was to ensure their constituency did not lack representation following the suspension of the 45-year-old senator.

The lawmaker has made headlines in recent months after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim the Akwa Ibom lawmaker has equally denied.

She was thereafter suspended by the Red Chamber for violation of its rule of conduct.

On Tuesday, Senator Natasha received a rousing welcome by her constituents, despite the Kogi State Government’s ban on rallies and public gatherings. At the ceremony attended by a crowd of supporters in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) of the North-Central state, she told the gathering that: “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land”.

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Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal

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2 days ago

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January 9, 2026

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Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

 

This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.

 

Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.

 

The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”

 

In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.

 

The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.

 

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.

 

Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”

 

 

 

 

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Rivers Assembly Reopens Impeachment Push Against Gov. Fubara, Deputy

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4 days ago

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January 8, 2026

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The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.

 

This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.

 

At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.

 

The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

 

Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.

 

During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.

 

 

 

 

 

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Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials

Published

4 weeks ago

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December 15, 2025

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The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.

According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.

The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.

It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.

More details later…

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