'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out further action on the recall petition against the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District after its review of the submitted signatures failed to meet constitutional requirements.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 3, 2025, following its weekly meeting, INEC disclosed that it had completed a physical count of the signatures and thumbprints attached to the petition in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The commission reiterated its commitment to fairness and strict adherence to legal provisions in handling the recall process. It outlined the procedural steps taken, including verifying the petition’s compliance with submission requirements, notifying the senator in question, informing the presiding officer of the Senate, and publicly announcing the process on its website.
According to the Nigerian Constitution, a petition for the recall of a senator must be backed by signatures from more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency. With 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District, at least 237,278 valid signatures were required to meet this threshold. However, INEC’s review confirmed only 208,132 signatures—just 43.86% of the registered voter base—falling short of the required number by 29,146 signatures.
Consequently, INEC has determined that the petition does not satisfy the constitutional requirement outlined in Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). As a result, the commission has dismissed the petition, stating that no further action will be taken regarding the recall process.
In accordance with Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, INEC has issued a public notice of its findings. A summary of the review, detailing the number of valid signatures per Local Government Area, has also been made available on its website and social media platforms for transparency.
This decision puts an end to the recall attempt, barring any legal contestation by petitioners or other interested parties. The senator in question remains in office, as the required threshold for initiating a recall process was not met.
Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information & Voter Education Committee, signed the official statement, reaffirming INEC’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and electoral integrity.
