She made this known while speaking to Kogi Tribune, which reached out to confirm whether she had received the notice. This follows the circulation of an alleged INEC notification addressed to her on the internet.
A document reportedly from INEC, titled “Receipt of a Petition for Your Recall from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” was sighted by Kogi Tribune. The letter, dated March 25, 2025, and signed by INEC Secretary Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, states:
“Pursuant to Section 69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the Senate.
“This notification is in line with the provision of Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, 2024.
“This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and simultaneously published on the Commission’s website.”
However, when asked to confirm receipt of the notice, Senator Natasha denied being served and questioned whether INEC’s publication of the letter online was sufficient notification.
“I haven’t been served. I will ask my lawyers,” she said.
Kogi Tribune previously reported that INEC officially accepted the recall petition after the petitioners provided verifiable contact details and addresses. Initially, INEC had rejected the petition due to the absence of such information.
On March 26, 2025, INEC released a statement confirming that the petitioners had rectified these deficiencies by submitting their contact addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses in a formal letter to the Commission’s chairman. The electoral body has now moved to the next stage—verifying the submitted signatures to ensure they meet the constitutional requirement of over 50 percent of the 474,554 registered voters in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The recall process has been fraught with controversy, with allegations of fraud and political maneuvering. INEC’s initial rejection of the petition on March 25 raised concerns about the legitimacy of the process. However, with the petitioners now in compliance, the Commission is proceeding despite ongoing legal challenges.
A Federal High Court in Lokoja had previously issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from acting on any recall petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing allegations of fraudulent signatures. A hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, multiple sources claim the recall effort is politically motivated, allegedly led by allies of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello in retaliation for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s outspoken criticism of the state’s political establishment. There are also reports that some voters were misled into signing the recall petition under the guise of an empowerment program.
