The Federal High Court in Lokoja has issued an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting a petition to initiate the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The order was granted following an ex-parte application filed by five registered voters from the district.

The applicants, led by Anebe Jacob Ogirima, argued that the recall petition contained fictitious signatures and urged the court to prevent INEC from acting on it.

They insisted that allowing the process to proceed would undermine the integrity of electoral laws. The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report on service and further mention.

A legal representative, Smart Nwachimere of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co, moved the application, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.

The court also restricted INEC staff, agents, and privies from conducting a referendum based on the petition until the motion on notice is determined.

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Following the ruling, a pressure group, Action Collective commended the judiciary for upholding justice. The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim described the decision as a step toward exposing the impunity of those behind the recall effort. He maintained that the move to unseat the senator was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, reactions among Kogi Central constituents have been divided.

Some residents support the recall process, arguing that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not effectively represented the district. Others believe the petition is a ploy by political rivals to tarnish her reputation and disrupt her tenure in the Senate.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Kogi State, Hale Longpet clarified that the commission had not initiated any recall process against the senator. He dismissed widespread speculation, stating that INEC would only act within the confines of the law.

Crediblenewsng.com