The Battle to Recall Senator Natasha: Six Hurdles Down, Four to Go!

The move to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is heating up as her opponents push through the tough constitutional requirements. While they have successfully cleared six major hurdles, four more challenges remain before they can achieve their goal.

The 10-Step Recall Process: A Tough Road Ahead

Under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022, recalling a senator is no easy feat. The process requires a series of legal and procedural steps, each designed to ensure that only a majority-backed recall can succeed.

So far, those pushing for Natasha’s recall have navigated the following:

1. Petition Submission – A recall petition must be signed by more than half of the registered voters in the senatorial district.
2. Petition Verification – Signatures must be arranged according to polling units, wards, and LGAs.
3. INEC Notification – The electoral body must confirm the petition’s validity and formally notify the senator.
4. Public Notice for Verification – INEC announces a date, time, and venue for signature verification.
5. Signature Verification – INEC cross-checks the petition signatures against the voters’ register.
6. Threshold Decision – If verified signatures meet the minimum threshold, the process moves forward; otherwise, the petition is dismissed.

The Next Four Hurdles: Can the Recall Succeed?

Despite these advances, the biggest challenges are still ahead:

7. Referendum Announcement – If enough valid signatures exist, INEC must fix a date for a public referendum.
8. 90-Day Referendum Timeline – INEC must conduct the referendum within three months, where voters will decide via a simple YES or NO vote.
9. Voter Turnout Challenge – For the recall to succeed, at least 50% of registered voters must participate—a significant challenge given low voter turnout in previous elections.
10. Final Decision – If the recall passes, INEC will issue a Certificate of Recall to the Senate President, who will then formally remove the senator.

Will the Recall Effort Survive?

The recall process sets an extremely high bar, making it one of the most difficult political actions to execute in Nigeria. In Kogi Central, voter turnout in the 2023 elections was only 27%, far below the 50%+1 required for a successful recall. This means Natasha’s opponents must mobilize hundreds of thousands of voters to show up and cast a YES vote—a task easier said than done.