The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled that the petition to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has failed to meet constitutional requirements, effectively halting the process.
In a press release issued on Thursday, April 3, 2025, INEC stated that after a thorough review of the signatures and thumbprints submitted by the petitioners, the total number fell short of the legal threshold required for a recall.
According to the Nigerian Constitution, a recall petition must be supported by more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. For Kogi Central, which has a total of 474,554 registered voters, at least 237,278 valid signatures were required. However, after verification, only 208,132 signatures were ascertained—representing just 43.86% of the electorate, which is 29,146 short of the constitutional mandate.
INEC emphasized that the petition process was handled transparently, ensuring compliance with legal provisions and its regulations. The Commission first confirmed that the petition met submission requirements before notifying the affected Senator, the Senate’s presiding officer, and the public. It then proceeded to verify the authenticity of the signatures before arriving at its conclusion.
With the petition failing to meet the required threshold, INEC has officially declared it invalid, bringing the recall attempt to an end.
