INEC Rejects Senator Natasha Akpoti’s Recall Petition Over ‘Incomplete Contact Details,’ Sparks Outrage

In a move that has ignited controversy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a petition seeking the recall of embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The decision, announced after INEC’s weekly meeting on March 25, 2025, has fueled suspicions of political interference and irregularities in the recall process.

Despite petitioners submitting six bags of documents containing signatures from over half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters, INEC dismissed the petition on technical grounds. The electoral body claimed that the petitioners failed to provide complete contact details for their representatives, as required under Clause 1(f) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024. INEC argued that the petition only listed “Okene, Kogi State” as an address and provided just one phone number for the lead petitioner.

Critics, however, are questioning whether INEC’s decision was based on a genuine procedural lapse or a deliberate attempt to shield the senator. With Akpoti’s tenure marred by political battles, including her recent suspension from the Senate after clashing with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, some believe INEC’s ruling favors the senator’s camp.

The Commission defended its stance, emphasizing that the recall process follows constitutional and legal frameworks, including the Electoral Act of 2022 and its own recall guidelines. It promised transparency and adherence to due process, stating that petitioners must fully comply with requirements before verification using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) can proceed.

Meanwhile, Akpoti’s opponents accuse INEC of setting up unnecessary roadblocks, while her supporters celebrate the decision as a victory against political witch-hunting. The rejection has further deepened divisions in Kogi Central, with many now questioning whether the recall process in Nigeria is truly fair or merely a tool for political manipulation.