By Myke Agunwa, Abuja
For the second time in two weeks, the attempt to recall the suspended Senator, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This is coming less than 24 hours after a mammoth crowd of supporters in the five Local Government Areas in Kogi Central defied the State curfew to welcome the lawmaker.
Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her visit to her district was to enable her to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri with her constituents.
Recall that the Gov Usman Ododo-led government had, on Monday, March 31, imposed a ban on rallies and public gatherings, citing security concerns and intelligence reports that some individuals were planning violent demonstrations in the name of “political agitation”.
The government also warned that anyone coming into the state with a convoy of security personnel must seek clearance.
Despite roadblocks mounted by the police and military along the Abuja–Okene road as well as the internal roads leading to Ihima, hometown of the lawmaker, Natasha landed at the rally venue in a helicopter and was welcomed by a mammoth crowd.
On Thursday, INEC in its official X handle, stated that the petition to recall the lawmaker did not meet the constitutional requirements to trigger the recall process.
The commission said, “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
INEC explained that the petitioners was not endorsed by the requisite number of signatures and thumbprints which must be more than one-half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
“For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.
“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1, which is at least 237,278 voters.
“The total number of registered voters in the district is 474,554, meaning that at least 237,278 signatures were needed.
“However, only 208,132 signatures were collected, falling short by 29,146.
“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.
“This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.
“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” INEC declared.
In line with the legal requirements, INEC also issued a Public Notice regarding the outcome of the review.
The notice, alongside a summary of the signatures/thumbprints disaggregated by Local Government Areas, is available for public viewing on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
Sen Natasha had earlier accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo as those behind her troubles.
There is a belief in some quarters that the plot to unseat and replace her with the former governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, is the handiwork of Abuja and some highly-placed Kogi politicians.