Senator Natasha's Recall: A Test of INEC's Integrity

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The ongoing recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan presents a crucial test of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) integrity. INEC's integrity has been questioned in the past, and this recall process will be a significant milestone for Nigeria's democracy.

The Recall Process

Recalling a Senator or House of Representatives member in Nigeria involves a multi-step process:

Step 1: Petition: More than half of the registered voters in the Senator's or House of Representatives member's constituency must sign a petition, alleging their loss of confidence in the member.

Step 2: Submission to INEC: The petition is submitted to the Chairman of INEC.

Step 3: Verification: INEC verifies the signatures on the petition to ensure they meet the required threshold.

Step 4: Notification: If the petition is valid, INEC notifies the Senator or House of Representatives member.

Step 5: Public Notice: INEC issues a public notice stating the date, time, and location of the verification.

Step 6: Referendum: If more than half of the signatories are verified, INEC conducts a referendum within 90 days.

Step 7: Certificate of Recall: If a majority of voters vote "yes" to recall the member, the Chairman of INEC sends a Certificate of Recall to the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

With over 200,000 signatures collected, the verification process (Step 3) will be crucial. Despite INEC's initial claims of missing phone numbers and addresses, the signatures must be verified.¹ The recall of Senator Natasha would demonstrate that recalls are possible and serve as a reminder to INEC to uphold the rule of law.

Non-functioning federal legislators in Nigeria should be prepared for potential recall. If Senator Natasha's recall is successful, it may set a precedent for other non-functioning legislators. Nigerian citizens must understand their rights and the recall process to hold their elected representatives accountable.

The recall process of Senator Natasha is a critical test of INEC's integrity. If successful, it would demonstrate that Nigeria's democracy is functioning and that INEC is committed to upholding the rule of law.

Comments

  1. Bricache IntelligenceMarch 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM

    Delta Governor Orders Withdrawal of Query Letter Issued to Nursing Student Over ‘Na Your Mama’ Viral Video On First Lady Oluremi Tinubu

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has intervened in the controversy surrounding Nursing Student Nurse Osato Edohor, ordering the withdrawal of a query letter issued by the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences.

    In a video , the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme noted that the letter has beenn withdraw .

    The query letter was a response to a viral video featuring Nurse Osato Edohor Over ‘Na Your Mama’ Viral Video On First Lady Oluremi Tinubu

    ReplyDelete

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