Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's Recall: What Happens Next?

Scope 02 Apr 2025

What’s Up with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?

Alright, let’s break this down. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District, is at the center of a political storm right now. The next 90 days are going to be critical in deciding her fate. Her constituents from Kogi Central have taken a bold step by submitting a recall petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). They want her out of office, and now INEC is carefully verifying the signatures attached to this petition.

What’s the Deal with These Signatures?

For this recall petition to even have a shot at moving forward, it needs to be supported by more than half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central District. That’s a tall order, but it’s the rule. If the petition does meet this requirement, INEC is obligated to organize a referendum within the next 90 days from when they received the petition. According to INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the commission will issue a public notice with all the details—time, date, and location of the referendum.

But here’s the thing: if the petition doesn’t get enough signatures, INEC will still issue a public notice. This time, though, it’ll be to inform everyone that the petition didn’t meet the necessary threshold. It’s a bit of a high-stakes game, and the outcome depends entirely on whether the signatures stack up.

Read also:
Anthony Edwards Net Worth 2024 Journey From Er To Film Success And Beyond

What’s the Referendum All About?

INEC’s guidelines are clear: a referendum will only happen if it’s confirmed that over half of the registered voters in the district back the petition. This means that even if the initial signatures pass muster, the final decision will rest with the voters during the referendum. It’s a two-step process, and both steps require overwhelming public support.

Why Are People Pushing for This Recall?

The recall petition isn’t coming out of nowhere. It’s tied to several controversies surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. On March 6, 2025, she was suspended from the Senate for alleged “gross misconduct” after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This suspension has clearly fueled a lot of frustration among her constituents.

The petitioners cite “loss of confidence” as the primary reason for the recall. They accuse the suspended senator of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceit. It’s a serious accusation, and it’s one that’s resonating with many voters in Kogi Central.

How Did They Gather So Many Signatures?

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The petitioners didn’t just show up with a few names on a piece of paper. No, they came prepared. They brought six bags filled with documents containing signatures collected from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central. That’s a lot of signatures. These signatures were gathered from 902 polling units across five local government areas: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene. It’s a massive effort, and it shows just how deeply this issue has resonated with the community.

What’s INEC’s Role in All of This?

As part of the recall process, INEC has already sent a notification letter to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, informing her that they’ve received the petition. A copy of this letter has also been forwarded to the presiding officer of the Senate. This is a formal step, but it’s an important one. It ensures that everyone involved is kept in the loop and that the process moves forward transparently.

So, what’s next? The next 90 days are going to be crucial. If the signatures hold up and the voters support the recall in the referendum, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan could be out of office. But if the petition doesn’t meet the threshold, she’ll remain in her position. Either way, this is a significant moment for Kogi Central and for Nigerian democracy as a whole. Stay tuned because this story is far from over.