The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally notified Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, of a recall petition submitted by her constituents, signaling the start of a contentious process. On Wednesday, INEC confirmed that petitioners rectified earlier deficiencies by providing contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses, in a letter dated March 26, 2025. The commission has delivered a notification letter to the senator’s official address, copied it to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and published it online, adhering to its 2024 Recall Guidelines.

The petition, accompanied by six bags of signatures purportedly from over half of the district’s 474,554 registered voters, follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after a dispute with Akpabio. INEC initially flagged the petition on Tuesday for lacking petitioner contact information, but the swift correction has paved the way for signature verification, the next step to determine if the recall proceeds to a referendum.

Sentiment on X reflects a polarized debate. Some users, like 

@WallStreetApes cheer the process, with posts suggesting strong local support for the recall. Others, including 

@ruffydfire allege political manipulation, claiming the effort is a “kangaroo recall” funded by rivals to unseat her, possibly linked to settling scores with a top Kogi politician. Akpoti-Uduaghan has hit back, accusing INEC of bias for allowing petitioners to amend their submission rather than dismissing it outright, arguing in a March 26 letter that this breaches due process.

INEC insists the process will remain transparent, with National Commissioner Sam Olumekun reassuring the public that verification will be open to voters, petitioners, and the senator’s agents. The outcome, expected soon, will decide whether Akpoti-Uduaghan faces a constituency vote to retain her seat. As tensions rise, social media users continue to speculate on the recall’s legitimacy and its ties to broader political drama, including her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.