INEC receives petition to recall suspended Natasha from Senate

Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.

The development followed the suspension or Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual harassment.

Charity Omole, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the petition was signed by over 250,000 of the district’s 488,000 registered voters from the Constituency.

Omole explained that the constituents believe they cannot afford to be without representation in the Senate.

She added that the constituents cannot afford not to be represented in the next one year.

According to her, the constituents voted for Natasha and they are tired of her, hence the reason for her recall.

Omole, however,  dismissed the claims that the petition was being sponsored by unknown politicians.

Under Nigerian law, the recall process requires verification of the petition, followed by a referendum if the signatures are validated.

The entire process must be completed within 90 days from the date INEC receives the petition. The petitioners insist they are acting independently and not under any external influence.