Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Failed Recall: How Nigerian Senators Can Be Recalled? 

Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District on Wednesday 19th March 2025 participated in a failed recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing a loss of confidence in her representation.

The exercise, observed in Okehi Local Government Area, drew voters lining up to support the recall effort. The process, scheduled to run across all polling units in the five local governments of Kogi Central over two days, required constituents to sign a petition calling for the senator’s removal.

However, the process took an unexpected twist when constituents discovered they had been misled in an attempted recall. Reports emerged that a town crier had gone around Okehi on Tuesday night, inviting people for an “empowerment program.” Upon arrival, attendees were instead asked to provide their voter card numbers in exchange for money, unknowingly becoming part of the recall petition.

Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Longpet, denied any official knowledge of the recall. “I am not aware of any recall process, apart from unconfirmed reports circulating on social media. No one has contacted me about any recall in the state,” he stated.

How Is A Nigerian Senator Recalled?

The Nigerian constitution provides for a recall of a legislator when the constituents feel that the elected official isn’t representing them well enough. A recall allows voters to remove an elected senator before the end of their term. Under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution, constituents can initiate a recall through a petition, followed by a referendum where voters cast a simple “yes” or “no” vote on whether the senator should remain in office. 

Petition

The recall process begins when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) receives a petition signed by more than half of the registered voters in the Senator’s constituency, citing a loss of confidence. The petition must be properly organized by polling units, wards, Local Government Areas, and the constituency for it to proceed.

Verification

Once the petition is submitted, INEC initiates the verification stage by:

• Notifying the Senator that a recall petition has been received.
• Issuing a public notice to announce the date, time, and location for the verification exercise.
• Conducting the verification to ensure all signatures belong to individuals listed in the electoral register.

If the verified signatures fall short of the required majority, INEC will dismiss the petition and notify the petitioners.

Referendum

If the petition meets the required number of verified signatures, INEC must organize a referendum within 90 days. Voters will then be asked to cast a simple “yes” or “no” vote on whether to recall the Senator. A simple majority of registered voters is needed for the recall to succeed. If successful, INEC’s Chairman will issue a Certificate of Recall to the Senate President to formalize the Senator’s removal.

The complexity of this process likely explains why no Senator has been successfully recalled since Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution came into effect.

What Are The Challenges Against A Recall?

Recalling a senator in Nigeria is a herculean task and almost impossible task due to the stringent constitutional requirements. Sections 69 and 110 of the Constitution outline the process, requiring a petition signed by over 50% of registered voters in the senator’s constituency, verified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), followed by a referendum where a majority must vote in favor of the recall. This high threshold poses significant practical challenges.

Voter apathy is widespread, with turnout in recent general elections as low as 27%. Gathering signatures from more than half of registered voters — many of whom may have relocated or become inactive — is a logistical nightmare. Even if enough signatures are collected and verified, ensuring high voter turnout for the referendum remains a major hurdle.

The 2010 constitutional amendment, which introduced mandatory signature verification, added another layer of difficulty. Critics argue that this change was designed to make recalls nearly impossible, protecting legislators from accountability. However, if all processes are met, and a senator is recalled, the electoral body will conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant position, and the recalled legislator can re-contest as no law prevents participation. 

Comparatively, other countries have more accessible recall processes, often requiring far fewer signatures. Until Nigeria reforms its recall provisions to lower the thresholds and simplify the process, recalling an ineffective legislator will remain an impractical, symbolic idea rather than a functional tool for accountability.