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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Recall election costlier than normal election, INEC says No recall of a lawmaker has been successful in Nigeria's history. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is more expensive to conduct a recall election than a constituency election. This suggests that the commission may spend more money to complete the recall process of the embattled Kogi senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, than was spent conducting her election, whether or not the recall is successful. The Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Mohammed Kunna, made the statement on the high cost of a recall process during an online discussion on “INEC Regulation and Guidelines for Recall 2024.” The discussion also covered BVAS and IREV: Facts and Myths. At the event, held on Saturday on X, Mr Kunna explained that conducting a recall election was similar to conducting three constituency elections, the News Agency of Nigeria reported. “Once a petition is received and verified to meet legal requirements, INEC must first conduct a verification exercise at the affected polling units. “For that verification to happen, we have to use the Bi-Modal Voter Verification System (BVAS) because those who signed the petition must be verified as genuine registered voters in those units. “Then, INEC needs to establish 50 per cent plus one signature from the constituency. “After that, we proceed to the final stage: conducting the referendum, which involves a yes or no vote by registered voters in the constituency,” Mr Kunna said. He added that this process involved mobilising staff, deploying election materials, transportation, and other resources, much like conducting three senatorial district elections. “In my opinion, the recall process is much more expensive than conducting a single senatorial district election,” he said. The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, acknowledged the high cost but emphasised that INEC must adhere to the law. “What is important is what the law says we should do in each case if constituents wish to recall their representatives,” Mr Oyekanmi said. Earlier, Mr Oyekanmi explained that INEC’s regulations and the Electoral Act specified the process for conducting a recall election. “The law allows a recall election only if the petitioners meet constitutional requirements, including submitting signatures from at least half of the registered voters in the constituency. “Once the petition is received, INEC performs a preliminary check and then verifies the signatures. “The lawmaker facing recall is informed and has the right to deploy agents to observe the process. “Observers and media personnel can also participate in the verification and referendum,” he said. Mr Oyekanmi also addressed the possibility of online voting, stating that the Constitution did not permit INEC to conduct electronic voting. Move to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan PREMIUM TIMES reports that INEC announced that it had begun the process of verifying the over 200,000 signatures on the petition to recall Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan. The persons who submitted the petition claimed that all the signatories existed and were voters in Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency. Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and many observers have, however, raised concerns that many of the signatures were fake and that she enjoys the support of the majority of her over 400,000 constituents. INEC, by law, will now have to conduct the verification process of the signatories as part of the recall process. Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ordeal began when she challenged the sitting arrangement for senators put in place by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The mode of her challenge of what was by Senate rules the role of the senate president put her in conflict with the majority of her colleagues in the Senate and the Senate committee on ethics recommended her suspension for it. On the day she was to be suspended, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, on the floor of the Senate, raised an allegation of sexual harassment against Mr Akpabio, an allegation he has since denied. Minutes after she raised her allegation, the Senate adopted the earlier resolution of its ethics committee and suspended her for six months. She was also barred from entering the Senate building during the suspension and her salaries and allowances were stopped for the period of the suspension. The six-month suspension was issued despite previous court rulings that a lawmaker cannot be suspended for more than two weeks. Amidst the controversy, some residents of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency announced that they would recall the senator, who many believe enjoys the support of the majority of the residents of her constituency. No recall of a lawmaker has been successful in Nigeria’s history. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/784616-natasha-akpoti-uduaghan-recall-election-costlier-than-normal-election-inec-says.html 5 3  |
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The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, has extended warm greetings to residents of the FCT, particularly the Muslim Ummah, on the occasion of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. In a press statement released today, the Minister expressed his heartfelt felicitations, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. He acknowledged Ramadan as a period of profound spiritual reflection and urged residents to continue embodying the virtues of charity, kindness, and generosity beyond the festive season. “On behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the residents of the FCT, especially the Muslim Ummah, on the celebration of Eid el Fitr, which signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan,” stated Barr. Wike. “Ramadan is a period of deep spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and an opportunity to draw closer to Almighty Allah (SWT). I pray that the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, accepts all our acts of worship, supplications, and sacrifices during the blessed month and rewards us abundantly with His divine blessings.” The Minister commended residents for their commitment to supporting the less privileged and fostering community bonds during Ramadan. He emphasized the FCT’s role as the center of national unity and called for continued peace and harmony among residents, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.[b] [b]“The FCT is the center of unity of our great nation, and our collective responsibility is to uphold and exhibit that unity at all times. Let us live in peace and harmony, respecting one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, and working together for the common good,” Wike added. He assured residents of the FCTA’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development, welfare, and security. He called upon residents to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and all leaders within the FCT, emphasizing the collective effort required to build a prosperous and unified Territory. Barr Wike also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to relevant authorities, stressing that security is a collective responsibility. He cautioned against attempts to sow seeds of division or disrupt peace. “As residents of the nation’s capital, we must all take responsibility for ensuring peace and stability in our communities. I call on you to resist any attempt by individuals or groups seeking to create disharmony within our ranks or disrupt the peace we cherish,” he said. “Security is a collective duty, and I encourage everyone to promptly report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. For it is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can all realise our collective and individual dreams. Let us therefore through vigilance and cooperation work to keep our city safe.” “Once again, I wish you all a happy, peaceful, memorable and blessed Eid-el-Fitr.” 5 3  |