As Nigeria grapples with severe economic hardship, a wave of discontent has sparked nationwide petitions to recall elected lawmakers. Frustrated Nigerians are urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove their councillors, state assembly members, House of Representatives members, and Senators from office.
On Thursday, INEC announced it has approved revised guidelines for the recall of members of the National and State Assemblies, as well as councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils.
In a statement released in Abuja, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, revealed that the commission has been inundated with petitions from citizens across the country. These petitions call for the immediate recall of their elected representatives, citing a failure to address the growing economic challenges facing their constituencies.
Olumekun stated, “In the last few weeks, we have received numerous requests from groups nationwide demanding the recall of their National Assembly and State House of Assembly members.” He further noted that some constituents have even requested that INEC initiate the recall process on their behalf.
In response to the surge in petitions, INEC has updated its Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, which outline the process by which citizens can formally remove their elected representatives. The revised 10-page document is now available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms for public use.
“The recall process is initiated by voters in a constituency, and the Commission’s role is to implement their request,” Olumekun explained. This is done in accordance with Sections 69, 110, and 160 of Nigeria’s Constitution, as well as the Electoral Act of 2022.
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According to the revised guidelines, the recall process must be started by the voters in a particular constituency. Constituents who wish to recall their elected representatives must gather a significant number of signatures, which will then be verified by INEC. Once the signatures are validated, INEC will organize a referendum where voters can decide whether to recall the official.
INEC urges all constituents interested in recalling their lawmakers to follow the detailed procedures outlined in the updated guidelines. “We appeal to petitioners to be guided by these regulations when preparing and submitting their petitions to the Commission,” Olumekun emphasized.
The growing petitions for recall reflect widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians, who are feeling the brunt of the country’s ongoing economic struggles. Soaring inflation, unemployment, and a worsening cost of living have left many citizens feeling neglected by their elected officials. Calls for the recall of lawmakers represent an increasingly popular method for Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable.
