Petitioners Comply with INEC’s Submission Requirements to Recall Sen. Natasha Abuja, March 26, 2025 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged compliance from petitioners seeking the recall of Senator Natasha H Akpoti, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly. The petitioners, under the Kogi Central Political Frontier, have now submitted the required voter details and contact information as requested by INEC. The petition initially faced procedural issues, as INEC observed that the covering letter lacked a specific contact address and contained only the phone number of the lead petitioner, which violated Clause 1(f) of INEC’s guidelines. However, the petitioners have now corrected these issues by submitting a comprehensive contact list. INEC’s Position on the Recall Process INEC reaffirmed that the recall of a legislator is solely the constitutional right of registered voters in the affected constituency. Now that the petition meets the submission requirements, INEC will proceed with signature verification in a transparent and credible manner. Steps in the Verification Process To ensure the legitimacy of the recall petition, INEC has outlined a detailed verification procedure: - BVAS Technology for Authentication • The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed to verify the authenticity of each signatory to ensure that only validly registered voters participated in the petition. - Media & Observer Accreditation INEC will accredit independent observers and media personnel to monitor the verification process to enhance transparency and public confidence. - Agent Representation for Both Parties Both the petitioners and Senator Natasha Apoti will be permitted to appoint agents who will oversee the verification exercise to ensure fairness and compliance with electoral laws. Political Reactions and Implications The recall petition has sparked significant debate in Kogi Central, with various political analysts weighing in on its implications. While some constituents see the move as a democratic right to hold elected officials accountable, others believe it may be politically motivated. Despite the differing opinions, INEC has reassured the public that the recall process is voter-driven and independent of any political party influence. The Commission has pledged to follow due process and uphold democratic principles throughout the exercise. Next Steps and Possible Referendum If the petition successfully passes the verification stage, INEC will announce the next steps, which may include a referendum. In this case, registered voters in Kogi Central will decide whether Senator Natasha Apoti should remain in office or be recalled. As the process unfolds, all eyes will be on INEC’s handling of the verification exercise, with expectations of fairness, credibility, and transparency. Culled from Kogi Global News