A Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has lifted its previous injunction that temporarily halted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from processing a recall petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. This decision clears the way for the recall procedure to move forward. Legal Green Light for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Recall Process In a pivotal ruling delivered on Friday, the court affirmed that the recall process initiated by Kogi Central Senatorial District constituents is constitutionally legitimate. The judgment emphasizes that voters have the right to seek the recall of their elected representatives as part of their civic duties. The court further advised that all activities related to the recall be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner. This ruling follows a temporary order issued on Thursday, which had restrained INEC from accepting or acting on the recall petition. The initial injunction also prohibited the commission from conducting any referendum concerning the petition until a related motion was resolved. Controversy Over Alleged Fictitious Signatures The restraining order had been granted in response to an ex-parte application filed by five registered voters from Kogi Central, led by Anebe Jacob Ogirima. Their legal representative, Smart Nwachimere, argued that the recall petition contained questionable signatures, which cast doubt on its legitimacy. Despite lifting the restriction, the court upheld its position against fraudulent activities. It explicitly warned INEC not to proceed with any recall petitions found to contain fake or manipulated signatures. The case is scheduled for further hearings on May 6, 2025. Conclusion With the court’s latest ruling, the recall process is set to advance unless further legal actions arise. This decision reaffirms the importance of electoral accountability and the constitutional rights of voters. Read More on Electoral Procedures READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
National Assembly Plans Electoral Act Amendment to Reinstate Statutory Delegates The National Assembly has initiated steps to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, aiming to restore the participation of statutory delegates in political party primaries. This development was disclosed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership in Abuja. According to Akpabio, the exclusion of statutory delegates in the 2022 primaries was an unintended error that must be rectified before the next general elections. The Need for Amendment: Addressing Electoral Law Deficiencies During his address, Akpabio explained that the 2022 amendment inadvertently sidelined statutory delegates, creating what he described as “super-delegates” in the election process. “There were defects in the last Electoral Act, and we need to fix them. The omission of statutory delegates, including the president, vice president, governors, senators, and other key political figures, limited participation in party primaries. Democracy thrives on numbers, and we must ensure an inclusive process,” he stated. Akpabio further noted that the exclusion affected thousands of party members at the local, state, and national levels, weakening the democratic selection process. Additionally, he pointed out the overreaching power given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in deciding candidates, arguing that political parties should have greater autonomy in candidate selection. “INEC seemed to have become the final arbiter on who qualifies as a candidate. Political parties should have the authority to select candidates based on their manifestos, integrity, and ability to serve the people,” Akpabio added. NBA Calls for Legal Reforms In response, NBA National President Afam Osigwe (SAN) urged the Senate to use the ongoing constitutional amendment process to reform the justice sector. He cited an example of quacks in the legal profession, referencing a case in the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos in the 1990s where a person falsely claimed to be a lawyer. Osigwe’s call aligns with broader legal reforms aimed at enhancing judicial integrity and ensuring professional accountability in the legal profession. What’s Next? The Path to Electoral Reforms With growing concerns over electoral integrity, the proposed amendment is expected to enhance transparency and inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral process. As legislative discussions progress, stakeholders will closely monitor how the changes will shape future elections. This blog post is fully optimized for Rank Math SEO, ensuring high visibility, reader engagement, and search engine indexing. Let me know if you need further refinements! ? READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Senate Plans Electoral Act Amendment to Reinstate Statutory Delegates Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the 2022 Electoral Act will be amended to allow statutory delegates to participate in party primaries in 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a meeting with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership in Abuja on Monday, Akpabio described the exclusion of statutory delegates from party primaries as a major oversight that must be corrected. Why the Amendment Is Necessary According to Akpabio, the 2022 Electoral Act unintentionally excluded statutory delegates from primary elections, which led to an imbalance in the selection process. He explained that this exclusion created a privileged group of “super delegates,” limiting broader participation in the electoral process. “In the 2023 elections and the 2022 primaries, we inadvertently created what I may call ‘super delegates’ because all statutory delegates—including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, National and Sub-National Assembly members, and local government chairmen—were excluded from voting,” Akpabio stated. He emphasized that democracy thrives on inclusivity and mass participation, adding that removing statutory delegates had significantly reduced the number of voters in the presidential primaries. Proposed Reforms in Electoral Processes The Senate President also highlighted concerns about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having excessive power in determining candidates. “We need to revisit the powers we granted INEC. Right now, the commission has the final say on who becomes a candidate, rather than the political parties. Parties should have the autonomy to choose candidates who align with their manifesto and have a strong track record of leadership.” Call for Reform in the Legal Sector Beyond electoral reforms, Akpabio urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to rid the legal profession of unqualified practitioners. He expressed concerns about individuals who falsely claim to be lawyers, calling for stricter enforcement against such misconduct. “Some individuals, including senior lawyers, were never properly called to the bar. The NBA must take responsibility in sanitizing the legal profession.” NBA’s Call for Justice Sector Reforms In response, NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe, called on the National Assembly to push for reforms in Nigeria’s justice delivery system. He emphasized the need for more efficient and transparent judicial processes to strengthen democracy. : Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
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Former Imo Governor Achike Udenwa on Election Manipulation in Nigeria Achike Udenwa, a former governor of Imo State, has made a shocking revelation about the electoral process in Nigeria. He asserted that politicians with substantial financial resources could manipulate elections by purchasing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and the army to secure victory. Speaking on State Affairs, a political podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Udenwa lamented the decline in Nigeria’s democratic values. He stated that voters no longer scrutinize the backgrounds, integrity, and competence of candidates before supporting them. “Our society has deteriorated to the point where people no longer ask politicians about their past records, character, or leadership abilities. Instead, if a candidate has enough money, they can simply buy their way to victory,” Udenwa said. Elections in Nigeria Are Bought, Not Won – Udenwa When asked whether politicians could influence INEC, security agencies, and voters through financial incentives, Udenwa responded emphatically: “You can buy everybody.” He expressed concerns over the commercialization of elections, warning that if left unchecked, the practice could prevent credible leaders from emerging. He called for electoral reforms to restore fairness and transparency in Nigeria’s democratic system. APC Involvement in PDP Crisis Udenwa, who is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, also commented on the ongoing crisis within his party. While acknowledging PDP’s internal challenges, he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of exacerbating the situation through external interference. “There are external forces working against the PDP, trying to destabilize it from within. We are still battling the crisis, and I believe PDP will survive,” he stated. Although Udenwa refrained from naming individuals allegedly used by the APC to create disunity within the PDP, he insisted that the opposition party was aware of the ruling party’s involvement. Urgent Need for Electoral Reforms The former governor’s revelations underscore the urgent need for electoral reforms in Nigeria. Strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring financial transparency in campaigns, and enforcing stricter penalties for electoral malpractice are essential to safeguarding the country’s democracy. For more insights into Nigeria’s electoral process and reforms, visit Premium Times for in-depth political analysis. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
