…Flags Irregularities in Kogi Senator’s Recall Petition
Abuja, 25 March 2025 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged receipt of a petition seeking the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The commission disclosed this in a statement following its regular weekly meeting held on Tuesday.
According to INEC, the petition was accompanied by six bags of documents, reportedly containing signatures from over half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district. The signatories are spread across 902 polling units in 57 registration areas (wards) in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene Local Government Areas.
INEC, however, observed that the petitioners failed to provide a definite contact address, stating that the only address given was “Okene, Kogi State,” which does not meet the requirements stipulated in Clause 1(f) of its Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024. Additionally, only the telephone number of “the lead petitioner” was supplied, instead of the contact details of all representatives.
“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,” INEC stated.
INEC reiterated that a legislator’s recall is strictly the prerogative of registered voters in the constituency, and all petitions must meet the legal requirements before further action is taken. If the petition is deemed valid, the commission will conduct an open verification exercise at each polling unit using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Both the petitioners and the senator facing recall will be allowed to nominate agents to observe the process, alongside accredited observers and the media.
“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 that signed the petition only,” INEC stated.
The commission assured the public of its commitment to due process and urged Nigerians to disregard social media speculations regarding the recall. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reach the petitioners through alternative means.
INEC will announce further steps once the petitioners comply with the submission requirements.
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