A Federal High Court in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, has overturned its earlier decision that stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting a recall process started by people in Kogi Central Senatorial District against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a big ruling on Friday, the court said the recall process is legal under the constitution and respects the rights of the district’s residents. It encouraged them to keep pushing forward calmly and peacefully.

This comes after the court on Thursday had temporarily blocked INEC, its staff, or anyone working with them from taking in or acting on any recall petitions with signatures from Kogi Central voters. That order also stopped INEC from holding a referendum to recall Senator Natasha until a related motion was decided. The Thursday block came from an urgent request by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, who filed it with four other registered voters from Kogi Central, backed by a sworn statement and other court papers.

Their lawyer, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petitions had fake signatures from supposed constituents. The court’s latest ruling still bars INEC from accepting petitions with forged signatures or holding a referendum based on them. The case is now set for May 6, 2025, for the next step.