The Independent National Electoral Commission has outlined the complexities and financial burden of conducting a recall process, likening it to organising a full election.
Speaking during an X Spaces discussion on Saturday titled “INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024: BVAS and IREV – Facts and Myths,” the Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Kuna, explained that a recall election demands significant resources, including staff mobilisation, technology deployment, materials, and transportation.
“A recall process is like conducting an election itself. It involves mobilising staff, deploying recall materials, technologies, and transportation. In fact, a recall is like conducting three senatorial district elections because we will go back to the field three times. It is even more expensive than a senatorial election,” Kuna said.
Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to following legal procedures if a recall is initiated.
“If constituents express the desire for a recall and fulfill the necessary requirements, we will proceed accordingly,” he assured.
Oyekanmi added that if a National Assembly seat becomes vacant, INEC would conduct a by-election once notified by the Presiding Officers. He further noted that the commission had budgetary provisions for various electoral scenarios.
“We prepare for all situations, as we are aware of the unpredictability of electoral events,” he stated.
INEC recently received a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The petition, submitted on Monday by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents, was received and stamped by INEC Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The move comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s controversial suspension from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She had earlier accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
According to the petitioners, over 200,000 registered voters—more than half of the district’s electorate—endorsed the recall process.
INEC confirmed that representatives of the petitioners submitted a letter containing their contact details to the commission’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Wednesday.
The next step in the recall process will involve INEC verifying whether the petition meets the constitutional requirement of having the signatures of at least 50 percent of registered voters in Kogi Central.
