By Mary Onyia
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured Nigerians of a transparent and fair process in the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udughan. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission confirmed that the petitioners seeking her recall have now met the necessary submission requirements.
Sam Olumekun, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, clarified that the petitioners have provided the required contact details, including mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, in compliance with INEC’s guidelines.
Earlier, INEC had noted that the petitioners’ representatives had failed to include these details in the covering letter for the petition. However, following a new submission on March 26, 2025, these details were provided in a letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
“As stipulated in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been sent to notify Senator Akpoti-Udughan about the receipt of the petition. The same letter has been forwarded to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website,” Olumekun added.
The next step in the process involves scrutinizing the list of signatories to ensure the petition is supported by over 50% of registered voters in the Senator’s constituency. The outcome of this verification will be made public, and will determine the subsequent steps in the recall process.
INEC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent process throughout the entire recall procedure.