By: Daure David
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the necessary requirements as stipulated by Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
In a statement released on its official media handle, INEC clarified that while the petition was duly submitted, it did not satisfy the constitutional prerequisites required to initiate the recall process. The electoral body did not provide further specifics regarding the exact aspects of the petition that were found lacking.
Section 69(a) of the Constitution outlines the legal grounds for the recall of a sitting Senator, which includes a petition signed by at least one-third of the eligible voters in the Senatorial District. The petition must also be endorsed by the relevant electoral authorities, which INEC assesses thoroughly before proceeding with any recall process.
INEC’s statement indicated that the legal and procedural aspects of the petition fell short, thereby halting any further action on the matter.
This development comes after months of public discourse surrounding the Senator’s performance and calls for his recall. The Senator, who has yet to publicly comment on the issue, continues to represent the Kogi Central Senatorial District, having successfully contested and won his seat in the 2023 general elections.
The decision is expected to have significant political implications in the region, as it comes at a time when political tensions remain high within the state.
INEC has assured the public that it will continue to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure compliance with the nation’s laws regarding elections and recall procedures.
Further details regarding the specifics of the petition’s failure and any potential next steps will be provided by the electoral body in due course.
