A civil society organization, Grassroots Centre for Rights & Civic Orientation, has raised alarm over alleged fraudulent tactics in the ongoing move to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Armsfree Ajanaku, the group, while acknowledging the constitutional right of constituents to initiate a recall under Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution, warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against being manipulated by “desperate political forces” seeking to undermine democratic processes.
According to the Centre, there are credible reports of deception, signature forgery, and unethical inducement in the collection of voter endorsements for the recall. Viral online videos allegedly show unsuspecting constituents being lured with promises of empowerment and palliatives, only to have their signatures and biometric details harvested for the recall petition.
“Recall signature buying, like vote-buying, is criminal and should be denounced,” the group stated, calling on INEC to scrutinize the authenticity of the petition. Footage has also surfaced of political actors allegedly compiling fake signatures from their homes—a move the Centre describes as “barefaced falsification.”
The 1999 Constitution and INEC guidelines require that a recall petition must be signed by more than half of registered voters in the constituency, with signatures or thumbprints verified against voter records. The Centre urged INEC to ensure strict compliance, insisting that any forged signatures must lead to prosecution and public exposure of those responsible.
“INEC must not allow this process to be hijacked by fraudsters,” the statement read. “The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy is at stake.”
The petition against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal critic of the state government, has sparked controversy, with supporters alleging political persecution. INEC is yet to officially comment on the allegations.
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