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  • INEC: no decision yet on Ward delineation in Warri

    INEC: no decision yet on Ward delineation in Warri

    • We will be fair, says agency

    • Ijaw: process transparent, free and fair

    No final decision has been taken on the proposed delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday.

    In a statement by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, the Commission asked all stakeholders in the area to submit their views on the draft report presented to them to assist the commission in arriving at an acceptable exercise.

    Some communities in the area have reportedly shut down oil production in protest against what they called unfair delineation and ethnic cleansing by the commission.

    The Commission said it has not  carried out any delineation of wards in the area, but still engaging stakeholders, adding that the purpose of the recent stakeholders meeting was to give everybody involved the opportunity to make their opinion known.

    It said the Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on 2nd December 2022.”

    “Following the Supreme Court judgment, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three local government areas culminating in the production of a draft report.

    “The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week Friday, 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue.

    Read Also: NNPCL: Time for a new direction

    “The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved.

    “Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.

    Hundreds of Ijaw elders and youths yesterday  embarked on a solidarity protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Abuja  over the  delineation in the three local government areas .

    The protesting Ijaw who came from the Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri, Isaba communities said that they were in Abuja to praise INEC for the recent ward  exeercise in the Warri Federal Constituency which they described as diligent.

    The protesters who wielded various placards  hailing the electoral umpire for the ward delineation  said that the commission had discharged its duties effectively before stakeholders and the public.

    Spokesman of the Ijaw kingdoms, Chief David Reje said that INEC has taken the right step, as a body committed to the rule of law, to implement the verdict of the Supreme Court which ordered the exercise

    Chief Reje dismissed the claims in some quarters that INEC did not consult stakeholders before kickstarting the ward  exercise.

    He stressed that INEC started a comprehensive process of stakeholder engagement with the three ethnic national making up the constituency – Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri.

    He recalled that the Commission engaged the ethnic nationalities through their leaders and traditional rulers in Warri and Asaba and followed up with visits to the communities to get everybody’s support for the process.

    “We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their obesrvations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.

    “Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.”

  • Warri delineation: INEC reassures of fairness, equity amidst protests

    Warri delineation: INEC reassures of fairness, equity amidst protests

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured stakeholders of the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State of “fairness and equity” in the delineation of Wards as ordered by the Supreme Court judgment.

    INEC stated that it was yet to make final decisions on the exercise, which was carried out in July last year.

    In a press release titled “Misconceptions about the proposed delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency by order of the Supreme Court”, on Thursday, the Commission urged stakeholders to forward observations from the draft of the delineation fieldwork presented to them last weekend.

    The statement which was signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, INEC, came amidst protests and shutting down of a flow station at Ogidigben, Delta state, by members of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, that the reports of the exercise indicated a calculated ploy to “cleanse” them from their territories.

    But INEC’s statement, while calling for calm, read: “Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgment delivered on 2nd December 2022.

    “Following the Supreme Court judgment, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas, culminating in the production of a draft report.

    Read Also: INEC delineation: Uproar as Itsekiris shutdown 28,000 bpd facility in Delta

    “The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week on Friday, 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue. The purpose was to allow them to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved.

    “Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency.

    “We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their observations on the draft report, which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.

    “Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law, and in full consultation with all stakeholders.”

  • No decision yet on ward delineation in Warri -INEC

    No decision yet on ward delineation in Warri -INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said no final decision has been taken on the proposed delineation of wards in Warri Federal Constituency ordered by the Supreme Court. 

    In a statement by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, the Commission asked all stakeholders in the area to submit their views on the draft report to assist the commission in arriving at an acceptable exercise. 

    Some communities in the area have reportedly shut down oil production in protest against what they called unfair delineation and ethic cleansing by the commission. 

    The Commission said it has not not carried out any delineation of wards in the area but engaging stakeholders, adding the purpose of the recent stakeholders meeting was to give everybody involved the opportunity to make their opinion known. 

    It said the Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the misleading narratives about the proposed delineation of Wards in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Federal Constituency as ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgement delivered on 2nd December 2022.

    Read Also: INEC delineation: Uproar as Itsekiris shutdown 28,000 bpd facility in Delta

    “Following the Supreme Court judgement, the Commission embarked on extensive consultations from February 2023 to July 2024 involving all the critical stakeholders, followed by fieldwork in all the communities in the three Local Government Areas culminating in the production of a draft report.

    “The Commission held further consultation with stakeholders in Warri last week Friday, 4th April 2025, where copies of the draft report were presented to the representatives of each of the parties connected with the issue. 

    “The purpose was to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have. The overall objective was to arrive at an amicable agreement endorsed by all the parties involved. 

    “Therefore, contrary to the speculations making the rounds, the Commission is yet to take a final decision on the delineation of Wards in the Warri Federal Constituency. 

    “We urge representatives of the various stakeholders to submit their obesrvations on the draft report which will serve as the basis for further engagement on the matter.

    “Meanwhile, we appeal to all stakeholders in the constituency to refrain from engaging in any activity that could threaten the peace and security of the area. The Commission will continue to operate based on fairness, equity, the rule of law and in full consultation with all stakeholders.”

  • INEC delineation: Uproar as Itsekiris shutdown 28,000 bpd facility in Delta

    INEC delineation: Uproar as Itsekiris shutdown 28,000 bpd facility in Delta

    Amidst protest arising from the controversial ward delineation recommended for Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), protesting Itsekiris have shutdown a 28,000 crude barrels per day, bpd facility in Warri South – West Local Government Area, of Delta State.

    Protest broke out on Wednesday at the facility formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC and recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings.

    The peaceful protesters comprising men, women and youths, stormed the facility with placards with inscriptions showing their anger over the recommendation by INEC.

    According to them, the proposal by INEC, amounts to ethnic cleansing by the Commission and its collaborators.

    It was gathered the peaceful protest would spread to other critical oil and gas facilities in Itsekiri land and may result in further drop in the country’s daily crude oil production.

    The aggrieved Itsekiri people are demanding the withdrawal of the proposal by INEC as regards ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, saying proper delineation, which would take cognisance of the historical and legitimate names of communities in Warri South, Warri South – West and Warri North Local Government Areas, should be carried out by INEC.

    It will be recalled that INEC last Friday unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.

    The Itsekiri Nation however rejected the proposed ward delineation in Delta State by the Commission.

    Read Also: Otti, Obi, Usman meet INEC over Labour Party leadership crisis

    At a briefing on Sunday, the Secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr Amorighoye Mene, dropped the hint of a court action against INEC.

    He said: “We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units.

    “At a stakeholders meeting on Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.

    “We were not allowed to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemns and rejects the work done by INEC.”

    Another group, Itsekiri National Development Initiative, INDI, also kicked against the delineation, claiming it lacks transparency.

    INDI, which petitioned the officials handling the delineation exercise, faulted the report from the fieldwork released by INEC in Asaba last week.

    The group stated that the report was not a genuine reflection of the Warri Federal Constituency and called for their removal.

  • INEC ward delineation: Protests escalate as Itsekiri shut down oil facility in Delta

    INEC ward delineation: Protests escalate as Itsekiri shut down oil facility in Delta

    Tensions flared in Delta State’s Warri region as widespread protests against the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed ward re-delineation intensified, leading to the shutdown of a major oil facility by Itsekiri protesters in Ugborodo, Warri South-West Local Government Area.

    The 28,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) oil installation—formerly operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company and now managed by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings—was peacefully shut down on Tuesday by members of the Ugborodo community.

    Men, women, and youths from the community stormed the facility with placards, accusing INEC of pushing an “ethnic cleansing” agenda through the re-delineation proposal.

    The demonstrators demanded that the electoral body halt the process, which they claim threatens the political representation and identity of the Itsekiri people.

    The protest adds to growing unrest across several communities in the region, as residents continue to express deep concerns over perceived marginalization and demographic manipulation.

    “This is an attempt to annihilate the Itsekiri people in their homeland,” a protester declared, accusing INEC and its collaborators of seeking to short-change the ethnic group.

    The demonstrators also raised concerns about the involvement of ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, alleging that the federal government’s pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) might be used to suppress their communities.

    There are growing fears that the protest may spread to other oil and gas facilities in Itsekiri territory, a move that could have dire consequences for Nigeria’s already fragile daily crude output.

    The protest in Ugborodo adds to a broader discontent simmering across Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas, with various ethnic groups alleging that the INEC proposal unfairly undermines their demographic and political realities.

    Read Also: Otti, Obi, Usman meet INEC over Labour Party leadership crisis

    In Warri South, leaders of the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom have also raised strong objections to the proposed delineation, claiming it grossly underrepresents their population and political weight.

    “We have the population, we have the voters’ strength,” said Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment.

    “Okere-Urhobo Kingdom is the most populated area in Warri South. Our boundaries go beyond imagination. We deserve at least four wards”, Opuoru said.

    He emphasized that their protest was not against other ethnic groups—Itsekiri, Ijaw, or Agbarha-Warri—but rather a call for equity and proper recognition based on population data.

    Echoing the sentiment, Chief Jude Onovughe Igerebou, a former leader of the Warri South Legislative Arm, said, “We reject the ward delineation done by INEC in Warri South. Our communities were not properly captured, and there were too many abnormalities.”

    Also speaking, Chief Venture Daniels Evwherhamre, a member of the Delta State Public Procurement Board, criticized INEC for allocating only one ward to the Okere-Urhobo people despite their proposal for six.

    “It is not acceptable. We are asking the authorities to go back and look into our proposal. We deserve better,” he said.

    Ambassador Duke Ufuoma Barho added, “We have the boundaries, the numbers, and the documentation. INEC came and brought out what we didn’t propose. We are appealing to INEC to revisit our submission.”

    As both Itsekiri and Okere-Urhobo communities intensify their calls for a reversal of the ward delineation plan, the protests pose a growing challenge to INEC and federal authorities, who now face increasing pressure to intervene and ensure that the delineation process is seen as transparent, equitable, and devoid of ethnic bias.

  • Appeal Court reserves judgment in dispute over Kano’s electoral body’s composition

    Appeal Court reserves judgment in dispute over Kano’s electoral body’s composition

    The Kano division of the Court of Appeal, which sat in Abuja on Tuesday has reserved judgments in five appeals against two decisions of the Federal High Court in Kano, which among others, voided the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

    A three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Georgewill Ekanem, announced,after hearing the appeals, that the date for judgment would be communicated to parties.

    The appeals are: CA/KN/20/2025 filed by KANSIEC, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others as respondents; CA/KN/233/2024 by Kano State House of Assembly and another, with Honourable Aminu Aliyu Tiga and 14 others listed as respondents.

    The other appeals are: CA/KN/290/2024 by Attorney General of Kano State and six others, with All Progressives Congress (APC) and three others listed as respondents; CA/KN/291/2024 by KANSIEC and eight others, with Kano State House of Assembly and six others as respondents.

    The judgments appealed against are those delivered on October 22 and 24, 2024 by Justice Simon Ameboda of the Federal High Court in Kano.

    In the October 22 judgment, Justice Ameboda restrained the KANSIEC from proceeding with the Local Government elections earlier planned for October 26, 2024.

    The judge also voided the composition of the KANSIEC on the grounds that those appointed were not qualified. The judgment was on the suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC.

    Justice Ameboda found that the appointed members of KANSIEC were involved in partisan politics as members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which violates sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 4 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

    The judge equally found that the chairman of KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi and other members – Muktar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabiru Jibrin Zakirai and Amina Inuwa Fagge – are card-carrying members of the NNPP.

    Justice Ameboda held that their being members of a political party was unlawful and made them ineligible to serve on the electoral commission.

    Read Also: Edo governorship battle shifts to Appeal Court

    the judge also held that the commission’s secretary, Anas Muhammad Mustapha, was unqualified for his position as he was not a Kano State civil servant of director-level rank prior to his appointment, a requirement under Section 14 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

    He proceeded to disqualify all members of the commission and ordered their removal from office with immediate effect.

    Justice Ameboda declared that any preparations made by KANSIEC for the 2024 local government elections, including the issuance of election guidelines, candidate screening, and the sale of nomination forms, were null and void.

    He also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold election materials from KANSIEC and to retrieve any already provided, such as voter registers, until a properly constituted commission is in place.

    The judge directed the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) not to participate in or monitor the local government elections until KANSIEC is reconstituted in accordance with sections 197(1), 199(2), 200(1)(b) of the constitution and sections 4 and 14 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

  • Itsekiri leaders reject INEC’s proposed ward delineation in Warri federal constituency

    Itsekiri leaders reject INEC’s proposed ward delineation in Warri federal constituency

    The apex Itsekiri sociopolitical body, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed ward delineation report for the Warri Federal Constituency, describing the exercise as “biased, compromised, and inequitable.”

    Speaking to journalists over the weekend in Asaba, the Secretary of ILoT, Sir Amorighoye Mene, said the Itsekiri nation would challenge the report through legal means, insisting that the delineation process lacked fairness.

    INEC had presented the proposed delineation of wards and polling units for the Warri Federal Constituency at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment mandating fresh delineation.

    The Warri Federal Constituency is made up of Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South-West local government areas.

    Mene criticized the delineation exercise for allegedly ignoring the voting strength of the different ethnic groups in the constituency, warning that if implemented, the Itsekiri people risk being politically sidelined. 

    Read Also: Two brothers headed for India arrested at Lagos airport with cocaine hidden in suitcases

    He called on INEC to ensure equity by basing the delineation on the number of registered voters in each area.

    He further alleged that the Supreme Court judgment that led to the fresh delineation was obtained “surreptitiously,” noting that the case went undefended by INEC and other relevant stakeholders.

    Despite the Supreme Court’s directive for a nationwide delineation exercise, Mene accused INEC of selectively implementing the judgment in Warri Federal Constituency, claiming it revealed a hidden agenda by the electoral commission.

    His words, “We were not given opportunity to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling because they knew they had done things inimical to our interest.But we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri nation completely condemn and reject the work done by INEC.We not only condemn it, we reject it in its entirety because the fears we had earlier on at the commencement of the exercise has been proven. That INEC will not be fair and just in the exercise. The report they unveiled today has shown that INEC is very biased, and anti Itsekiri.

    “In Warri North; Itsekiris used to have six wards, Ijaws, four wards since 1999 but today from the reviewed INEC report, out of 18 Wards, itsekiris with 75,912 registered voters with 134 polling units now have eight wards.

    “While the Ijaws with 35,480 voters strength and 58 polling units now have 10 wards.”

    Mene maintained the situation was not different from Warri South West and Warri South where the Itsekiri’s voter strength was undermined.

    According to him, In Warri South West, Itsekiris with voters strength of 94,074 and 175 polling units based on INEC register, now have five wards out of 19 wards delineated by INEC in their report.

    “While the Ijaws with 95,046 voting strength and 147 polling units now have 14 wards in the area.

    “In Warri South, Itsekiris with the voting strength of 88, 309 and 174 polling units now have eight wards while the Urhobos with 38,000 voters and 72 polling units, have 10 wards and the mix demographic area with about 51,517 voters and 105 units, the Ijaws got two wards in the area.”

    He urged INEC to concern itself with eligible voters and how they could vote conveniently and exercise their franchise.

    “We expect INEC to be fair, equitable and not biased because wards and polling units delineation is for the convenience of administering elections based on numbers of registered voters in various communities and registered areas.

    “INEC is not supposed to be concerned with religion, land ownership claims as it is not a court. It’s primary responsibility should be about eligible voters and how they can vote conveniently. INEC should concentrate on voters and how they can vote conveniently in the areas they are registered.”

  • Itsekiri leaders reject INEC wards delineations in Warri constituency

    Itsekiri leaders reject INEC wards delineations in Warri constituency

    The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought in Warri, Delta have kicked against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed ward delineation report in the state.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sir Amorighoye Mene, the Group’s Secretary, who addressed newsmen on Saturday in Asaba, said they would challenge INEC on the delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.

    The Secretary said that they had expected INEC to take into consideration the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that make up the area.

    According to him, the Itsekiris, Urhobos and the Ijaws and other mixed demographics areas would have been taken into consideration while delineating the wards and polling units.

    He said that if INEC was allowed to implement the proposed wards, the Itsekiri people would not get fair representation anywhere.

    He called on INEC to reflect on the issues and to be fair and equitable, based on the number of registered voters from each of the areas.

    Read Also: Natasha hails INEC as recall process fails, launches maternity center in Kogi

    According to Mene, the INEC at a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency in line with the Supreme Court’s judgement that calls for fresh delineation.

    “We were not given an opportunity to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us and the entire Itsekiri Nation completely condemn and reject the work done by INEC.

    “In Warri North, Itsekiris used to have six wards, Ijaws, four wards since 1999 but today from the reviewed INEC report, out of 18 Wards, itsekiris with 75,912 registered voters with 134 polling units now have eight wards.

    “While the Ijaws with 35,480 voters strength and 58 polling units now have 10 wards.”

    Mene noted that the situation was not different from Warri South West and Warri South, where Itsekiri’s voter strength was undermined.

    According to him, in Warri South West, Itsekiris, with voters’ strength of 94,074 and 175  polling units based on the INEC register, now have five wards out of 19 wards delineated by INEC in their report.

    “While the Ijaws with 95,046 voting strength and 147 polling units now have 14 wards in the area.

    “In Warri South, Itsekiris with the voting strength of 88, 309 and 174 polling units now have eight wards while the Urhobos with 38,000 voters and 72 polling units, have 10 wards and the mix demographic area with about 51,517 voters and 105 units, the Ijaws got two wards in the area.”

    He said that INEC should primarily concern itself with eligible voters and how they could vote conveniently, being the purpose for delineation of units and wards for people to exercise their franchise.

  • Why petition seeking Senator Natasha’s recall failed, by INEC

    Why petition seeking Senator Natasha’s recall failed, by INEC

    • Lawmaker lauds electoral agency, empowers constituents
    • Adamant constituents: we’ll go-ahead with process, thank INEC

    The petition seeking the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to meet the constitutional requirement, Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) said yesterday.

     The electoral agency said  only 208,132 voters of the 474,554 registered  in the constituency, representing 43.86 percent signed the recall notice as against the required 237,278, thereby putting an end to the process.

    Section 69(a) of the Constitution states that “A member of the Senate or of the House Representatives may be recalled as such a member if -(a) there is presented to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, a petition in that behalf signed by more than one-half of the persons registered to vote in that member’s constituency alleging their loss of confidence in that member”.

    National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education of the Commission, Sam Olumekun said in a statement that the commission will no longer take any action on the recall process since the petition has failed constitutional test.

    Of the 114,663 registered voters in Adavi Local Government, 32,671 signed the petition, for Ajaokuta, out of 96,504,  45,808 signed up.

    In Ogori Magongo,  only 9 369 voters  of the 17,688 registered voters signed the recall, while in Okehi and Okene, only 37,064 and 83,220  of the 94,456 and 151,243 registered voters respectively signed the register submitted to the commission.

    The statement from the commission reads: “The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 3rd April 2025. Among other issues, the meeting considered and approved the report of its physical count of the signatures/thumbprints forwarded with the petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in line with Clause 2(b) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.

    “The Commission had assured Nigerians that it would handle the matter with fairness to the parties involved and in line with the provisions of the law and our Regulations and Guidelines.

    “First, we ensured that the petitioners complied with the requirements for the submission of the petition. Secondly, we notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published the notice on our website.

    “Thirdly, we informed Nigerians that the next step would be to carefully ascertain the number of signatures/thumbprints to ensure that the petition complies with the requirement of the law. This exercise has now been completed.

    “For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.

    “The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters.”

    Read Also: Why petition seeking Senator Natasha’s recall failed, by INEC

    “Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five local government areas that make up the Senatorial District, the Commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners. This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.

    “Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator.

    “In line with the provision of Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, the Commission has issued a Public Notice to that effect which is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate.

    “The Public Notice, along with a  summary of the review of the signatures/thumbprints of the petitioners, which are disaggregated by local government areas, are available on our website and social media platforms for public information”.

    Senator  Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday lauded INEC for  its  decision to stop  her recall.

    Following the statement by INEC,  Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan took to her Facebook page where she announced that she has won one battle and there are two more to go.

    The post reads: “On God it’s victory for the people of Nigeria. One battle down, two more to go.

    “Deep gratitude to my beloved husband, awesome support team, magnificent people of Kogi Central and great people of Nigeria at large. INEC Nigeria, you did well.”

    Also yesterday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan launched the building of a free maternity centre and child care centre in Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    The centre, scheduled for completion in four months, according to a statement by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, would provide free and efficient maternity services to women in the district.

    The senator expressed her excitement about the project, stating that she understands the challenges of childbirth, having given birth to four children herself.

    She emphasised that every pregnancy is unique and comes with its own risks, and acknowledged that women in rural areas face even greater difficulties due to limited access to healthcare.

    “As a mother of four, I understand the physical toll of pregnancy and the unique risks involved.

    “With my access to healthcare, I can only imagine the challenges women in rural areas face during childbirth. As your Senator, I believe it’s important to build a maternity and childcare center to support these women,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

    According to the statement, the maternity centre will be a 20-bed facility with two delivery rooms, an ICU, and staff quarters.

    The senator noted that the staff quarters are essential, as many doctors are reluctant to work in rural areas due to inadequate accommodation.

    She promised the centre’s services will be completely free, adding that she looks forward to seeing women gather at the centre to receive antenatal care and support.

    She also highlighted the centre’s sacred location, situated near the grave of the Ebira nation’s mother and the Eid ground where Muslim faithful  observe Salah prayers.

    In addition to the maternity centre, the Kogi lawmaker also empowered her constituents by providing tools and training to those who had earlier been trained in welding and carpentry. This initiative aims to enable them to start their own workshops and become financially independent.

    The senator concluded by thanking her constituents and expressing her joy in spending time with them.

    She also announced that 200 bags of rice would be distributed to those present, in addition to the 2400 bags of grains distributed a few weeks prior.

    But  the  senatorial district constituents  insisted yesterday in bringing back home the suspended lawmaker.

    They thanked the agency for validating 208,132 (43.86 per cent) signatures in the petition submitted for the recall.

    The constituents noted that, though they had mobilised more than the 50 per cent plus one threshold of registered voters and submitted their petition with full documentation, the validation of 43.86 per cent by the Commission still confirmed that Kogi Central constituents have abandoned the embattled Senator.

    “Apparently, INEC cancelled not less than 35,000 signatures at the administrative stage,” the constituents said, while reacting to a statement on the recall process issued by the electoral umpire.

    In a statement yesterday by Salihu Habib, on behalf of the petitioners, the constituents said:”We will liaise with INEC within the full ambit of the Constitution and regulations to demand for transparency in the handling of our petition.

     We have utmost confidence in the Commission not to subject the recall process to ambiguity or administrative opacity,” the constituents said.

    They expressed their gratitude to INEC for proving naysayers, who queried the authenticity of their figures, wrong.

    “We thank INEC for making it clear that the bulk of the people of Kogi Central are behind us and that we did not import a crowd like a desperate, embattled lawmaker,” they said.

  • BREAKING: Natasha’s recall petition fails constitutional requirement – INEC

    BREAKING: Natasha’s recall petition fails constitutional requirement – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the petition seeking the recall of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has failed to meet the necessary constitutional requirements.

    In a post shared on its official X page on Thursday, INEC stated that the recall petition did not satisfy the provisions of Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    Read Also: Defiant Homecoming – Natasha Akpoti’s Repeated Subversion of Security Warnings is Dangerous and People Could Get Hurt

    “The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the commission wrote.

    Details shortly…