The People Have Spoken—Senator Natasha Remains

By Alex Simi Dauda

The recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to dismiss the recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not only a constitutional checkpoint—it is a victory for due process and the people of Kogi Central.

Let’s call it what it is: political drama, with undertones of personal vendetta and power play. The call for recall came shortly after Senator Natasha leveled allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. While INEC’s role is not to investigate political motives, the timing alone makes any observer raise an eyebrow. Were we really trying to recall a senator over poor performance—or was this a punitive measure for speaking truth to power?

Thankfully, democracy has its safeguards. According to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution, a recall process is no small feat—it demands that at least half of the registered voters in a constituency say, “Enough is enough.” But here’s the truth: only 43.86% of voters supported the petition, falling short by over 29,000 signatures. That’s not a close call; that’s a statement. Kogi Central is not buying into this plot.

Even more commendable is how INEC handled the entire process. They verified the signatures, followed procedure, and gave regular updates. This shows that while our institutions may not be perfect, they are capable of transparency when it counts.

Let’s not forget the context. Recall attempts in Nigeria rarely work—not because people don’t care, but because rallying genuine, widespread public support in a diverse and divided political environment is difficult. And it should be difficult. Democracy isn’t about a few angry voices getting their way; it’s about collective will. If you can’t gather the numbers, maybe the problem isn’t the representative—but the motives of the petitioners.

Senator Natasha’s political journey has never been easy. From the outset, she’s faced resistance for being vocal, daring, and unafraid to challenge powerful men. But her staying power, as demonstrated in this failed recall effort, shows that her constituents still trust her. They may not agree with her on everything, but they are not ready to throw her under the political bus.

In the end, democracy has spoken. And Senator Natasha remains—not because the system failed to recall her, but because it worked exactly as it should.