A Federal High Court in Lokoja has ruled in favor of the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, overturning an earlier decision that restrained INEC. The court affirmed the process as constitutionally valid and urged peaceful participation. The case continues on May 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
In a major legal development, the Federal High Court in Lokoja has overturned an earlier ruling that prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving a recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court’s decision, delivered on Friday, affirms that the recall process is constitutionally valid and upholds the civic rights of Kogi Central Senatorial District constituents.
The ruling follows a temporary injunction issued a day earlier, which restrained INEC from processing or acting on any recall petitions. This injunction was based on claims by a group of constituents that the recall petition contained falsified signatures. However, in its latest judgment, the court urged the constituents to exercise their rights peacefully while allowing the process to move forward.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters of the senator arguing that the recall efforts are politically motivated, while proponents of the recall see it as a victory for democracy. The case is set for further hearing on May 6, 2025, as legal arguments over the petition’s legitimacy continue.
INEC is now expected to take the next steps in determining the validity of the recall process, with political analysts closely watching how this unfolds and its potential impact on future electoral processes in Nigeria.
