Recall Process More Expensive Than Conducting Senatorial Election

Recall Process More Expensive Than Conducting Senatorial Election – INEC.
Statement follows a petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senator alleges that signatures for her recall were forged.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the process of recalling a lawmaker as both difficult and expensive, stating that it requires significantly more resources than organizing a senatorial election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Mohammed Kuna, the Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, made this known on Saturday via his X account, stressing that the recall process involves extensive logistical demands, including staff deployment, technology use, material distribution, and transportation.

The statement comes amid growing reactions to a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. The senator, who recently accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, was handed a six-month suspension for allegedly violating Senate rules.

Akpoti-Uduaghan has since petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, insisting that signatures collected for her recall were forged.

Explaining the complexity of the process, Kuna likened it to conducting multiple elections in a single senatorial district.

“A recall process is like conducting an election itself. It involves mobilization of staff, deployment of recall materials, technology, and transportation. In fact, a recall is like conducting three senatorial district elections because we have to return to the field three times. It is even more expensive than organizing a senatorial election,” he stated.

Recall Process More Expensive Than Conducting Senatorial Election – INEC

His comments highlight the significant financial and logistical hurdles involved in recalling an elected lawmaker, raising questions about the feasibility of such efforts.