INEC has clarified that Nigerian law does not limit the number of recall attempts, following the failed bid to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The commission insists it adhered to due process, while the senator accuses INEC of aiding her political opponents. The issue has ignited debates on democracy and fairness.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that the Nigerian Constitution does not limit the number of times a lawmaker can be subjected to a recall process. This clarification follows a failed attempt to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC’s Chairman, addressed the issue on Politics Today, a Channels TV program. He explained that Section 69 of the Constitution outlines the requirements for a recall but does not restrict how often the process can be attempted. According to him, for a recall to be valid, at least 50% plus one of the registered voters in the constituency must sign the petition.
The petition to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan fell short of this threshold, leading to its rejection. INEC also noted that the petitioners failed to provide the necessary contact details in their cover letter, a requirement under the electoral guidelines. Oyekanmi dismissed allegations that INEC was biased, stating that the commission merely followed due process.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the failed recall as a victory for democracy, accusing INEC of aiding her political opponents by guiding them on how to rectify their petition. The situation has sparked political debate, with analysts questioning whether repeated recall attempts could be used as a tool for political harassment.
