The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has acknowledged receipt of a petition seeking the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The petition was discussed during the Commission’s regular weekly meeting held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
According to a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures collected from over half of the 474,554 registered voters across 902 polling units in the senatorial district. The signatures were gathered from five Local Government Areas: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, and Okene.
However, INEC noted key deficiencies in the submission. The Commission observed that the petitioners failed to provide a comprehensive contact address, telephone numbers, or email addresses, as required by Clause 1(f) of INEC’s Recall Regulations and Guidelines. The address given was simply “Okene, Kogi State,” which was deemed insufficient for official correspondence. Additionally, only the phone number of the lead petitioner was provided, rather than contact details for all representatives of the petitioners.
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INEC emphasized that the recall process is a constitutional right of registered voters who express a loss of confidence in their representative. If the petition meets the submission requirements, the Commission will proceed with verifying the signatures in each polling unit. This verification will be conducted through an open process restricted to registered voters who signed the petition, with both the petitioners and the affected senator allowed to nominate agents for observation. The process will also involve accreditation of observers and media personnel, with signatories verified using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
INEC assured the public that the recall process will adhere strictly to legal provisions. The Commission also urged citizens to disregard any speculations or misinformation circulating on social media regarding the recall petition.
Further updates on the process will be announced once the petitioners comply with the necessary submission requirements. The statement concludes.
