Kogi group seeking Senator Natasha’s recall not registered – CAC

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has stated that the group advocating for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, identified as Kogi Central Political Frontier, is not recognized as a legally registered entity.

In response to an inquiry about the organization’s registration status, CAC clarified that the commission does not register political bodies or pressure groups.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, a letter from the CAC, stated: “We refer to your letter dated March 20, 2025, requesting the registration status of Kogi Central Political Frontier. Kindly be informed that the exact name, Kogi Central Political Frontier, is not available on record as a registered entity with the Commission. Furthermore, be guided that the Commission does not register political bodies or pressure groups.”

Despite this, the group submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 25, 2025, requesting the recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. The petition, signed by Saliha Habib, was addressed to the INEC Chairman.

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The petition stated: “Following the press release/observation of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the recall petition by the above body, attached is the contact of the petitioners.”

The group accused the senator of failing to engage with her constituents, with a representative stating: “From the process the Kogi Central Indigenous people have carried out so far, this would be the first successful recall. We have spoken with one voice. We need a credible representative.”

However, questions have arisen regarding how an unregistered group with no official address could initiate the recall process.

Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied receiving any formal notification of the petition from INEC. When contacted for confirmation, she responded: “I haven’t been served. Guess publishing it on their social media handles suffices? I will ask my lawyers. It’s all crazy.”

Earlier reports indicated that INEC initially rejected the petition due to a lack of verifiable contact details. However, the commission later accepted it after the petitioners provided the required information.

Kogi group seeking Senator Natasha’s recall not registered – CAC

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INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said:  “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make  allegations of sexual harassment  against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition