INEC rejects Sen. Natasha’s recall petition over incomplete documentation
..Urges petitioners to fulfill requirements for verification process
…Sen. Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili clash in fiery exchange at sexual harassment hearing
The Independent National Electoral Commission has faulted the petitions delivered to its office on 25th March 2025 to recall the senator representing Kogi Central at the National House of Assembly.
The commission, in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, acknowledged receiving the petition, which includes six bags of documents that are said to contain signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, INEC pointed out that the petitioners failed to provide the necessary contact information, such as their addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The petition, presented on behalf of the constituents by Charity Ijese and received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on Monday, was said to be lacking clear contact details for the representatives, with only the phone number of the lead petitioner address
Also, INEC noted that the petition represents voters from five local government areas—Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene—covering 902 polling units across 57 registration areas.
However, the commission criticised the petitioners for providing a vague address simply listing “Okene, Kogi State” which does not meet the standards outlined in the commission’s regulations.
The statement read in part, “The commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Among other issues, the meeting discussed the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The process of recall is enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as well as the commission’s detailed Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, available on our website. All petitions will be treated in strict compliance with the legal framework.
“The commission’s immediate observation is that the representatives of the petitioners did not provide their contact address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es) in the covering letter forwarding the petition through which they can be contacted as provided in Clause 1(f) of our Regulations and Guidelines.”
The commission emphasised that the recall process is governed by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s own detailed guidelines and that once the petition meets all the legal requirements, INEC will initiate the verification of signatures in an open process at each polling unit.
It said the verification will be limited to registered voters who signed the petition, and both the petitioners and the senator facing recall will have the right to nominate agents to observe the process.
Olumekun explained, “The commission wishes to reiterate that the recall of a legislator is the prerogative of registered voters in a constituency who sign a petition indicating loss of confidence in the legislator representing them.
“Once the petition meets the requirements of submission, as contained in our regulations, the commission shall commence the verification of the signatures in each Polling Unit in an open process restricted to registered voters who signed the petition only.”
INEC assured the public that the recall process would proceed in accordance with the law, provided the petitioners fulfill all necessary guidelines.
In the absence of complete contact information, the commission is exploring alternative methods to notify the petition representatives.
INEC also urged the public to disregard any rumours or speculations circulating on social media and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the process is carried out in full compliance with the legal framework.
“Consequently, if the petitioners fully comply with the requirements of Clause 1(f) of the Regulations and Guidelines regarding the submission of their petition, the commission will announce the next steps in line with the extant laws, regulations and guidelines.”
The recall petition follows several controversial events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” called for her removal due to accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceit.
…Sen. Nwaebonyi, Ezekwesili clash in fiery exchange at sexual harassment hearing
Meanwhile, a heated verbal altercation erupted between Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, during a Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on Tuesday.
The confrontation occurred after Ezekwesili sought to contribute to a session addressing a fresh petition filed by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, setting the stage for a fiery exchange that briefly derailed proceedings.
The tense situation unfolded when Zubairu Yakubu, the petitioner from Kogi Central, called on the committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, to step down over alleged bias in handling sexual harassment claims against Akpabio.
Yakubu contended that the chairman had publicly expressed an opinion on the matter, making him unfit to preside over the case impartially. He further accused committee members of having prior ties to Akpabio, which he claimed compromised their neutrality.
“How can the chairman serve as a judge in a case where he has already publicly taken a position? What is the need for us to present our case when a verdict has already been given before hearing us?” Yakubu questioned, stirring palpable tension in the room.
As the discussion continued, Ezekwesili who was present alongside Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, counsel to Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to make her voice heard in the hearing. Her persistence, however, quickly escalated the situation, as she insisted on being placed under oath as a witness.
“I asked to be put on oath as a witness. I am a citizen of Nigeria,” Ezekwesili declared, fueling the exchange further.
The Senator from Ebonyi North, Nwaebonyi, immediately responded in an inflammatory manner. “You’re a fool. What do you mean? Why are you talking to me like that? I will not take it. You’re an insult to womanhood. People like you cannot be here,” he said, in a statement that shocked those present.
Ezekwesili, unshaken, fired back with equal vigour, calling Nwaebonyi a “hooligan,” further intensifying the verbal confrontation.
The heated clash disrupted the proceedings, prompting an immediate call for calm from other lawmakers, including Senator Patrick Ndubueze, who lamented the breakdown in decorum.
“We should stop behaving like people in the marketplace. This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ndubueze admonished, urging the committee to uphold its integrity.
The committee adjourned the hearing indefinitely. Chairman Imasuen cited the absence of critical parties, including the Kogi lawmaker who failed to appear in defense of the petition, as a factor in the adjournment.
In a post-hearing interview, Ezekwesili expressed her disapproval of the Senate’s conduct, accusing the body of grossly violating the Nigerian Constitution in its handling of the petition.
“The Nigerian Senate keeps telling citizens they are subject to Senate rules, even when those rules violate the Constitution. This is unacceptable in a democracy,” she said, condemning the committee’s actions as part of a broader disregard for legal processes.
She also highlighted the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which she claimed had occurred without adequate regard for constitutional provisions, further illustrating what she termed the Senate’s manipulation of procedures to avoid addressing serious allegations.
Ezekwesili warned that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the country’s democratic framework.
“The Senate must respect the Constitution. Otherwise, we risk turning our democracy into a system where powerful individuals manipulate processes to silence opposition and suppress justice,” she added.
