A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has lodged a petition with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing the district in the National Assembly. The petition, submitted by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents, was formally received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, at the commission’s headquarters on Monday, March 24, 2025. Titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” the document outlined their grievances.

The constituents explained, “This recall petition for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is filed under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), alongside INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.” They acknowledged that Akpoti-Uduaghan assumed office following an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023 but argued that their move stemmed from a deep erosion of trust in her leadership. “We have lost confidence in the Senator due to gross misconduct, abuse of power, disregard for due process, and a consistent pattern of deceptive conduct that has humiliated the people of Kogi Central, while undermining the Nigerian Senate’s credibility and the integrity of our democratic institutions,” they stated.

The petitioners claimed the document bore signatures from over half of Kogi Central’s registered voters, asserting, “With this petition, we demand that INEC promptly initiate the constitutional and procedural steps to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, remove her from office, and declare her seat vacant.” The senator’s tenure has been marred by controversy, including a public clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office, leading to her six-month suspension by the Senate for misconduct.