Corporate Affairs Commission Says Kogi Group Seeking Senator Natasha’s Recall Is Not Registered
The commission stated that the group is not registered in its records as a legally recognised entity.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has denied the existence of a group named Kogi Central Political Frontier, which is seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The commission stated that the group is not registered in its records as a legally recognised entity.
SaharaReporters gathered that on March 25, 2025, the group wrote a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), requesting the recall of Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In response to a request for the registration status of Kogi Central Political Frontier, CAC Registrar General, Mainunat Hamu Modi clarified that the commission does not register political bodies or pressure groups.
A letter from the CAC, obtained by SaharaReporters, stated:“We refer to your letter dated March 20, 2025, requesting the registration status of Kogi Central Political Frontier.
“Kindly be informed that the exact name, Kogi Central Political Frontier, is not available on record as a registered entity with the Commission.
“Furthermore, be guided that the Commission does not register political bodies or pressure groups.”
Despite this, on March 25, 2025, Kogi Central Political Frontier submitted a petition signed by Saliha Habib to the INEC Chairman, calling for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall.
The petition stated: “Following the press release/observation of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the recall petition by the above body, attached is the contact of the petitioners.”
The group criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly failing to engage with her constituents, claiming she had not responded to their concerns.
A representative of the group declared: “From the process the Kogi Central Indigenous people have carried out so far, this would be the first successful recall. We have spoken with one voice. We need a credible representative.”
However, Nigerians are now questioning how an unregistered group with no official address could petition for the recall of a sitting senator.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Senator Natasha said that she had not received notification of a petition for her recall from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senator Natasha stated this when SaharaReporters contacted her to confirm receipt of the INEC notice, following a notice from the electoral body to the lawmaker that was circulating on the internet.
SaharaReporters sighted a notice from the INEC, addressed to Senator Natasha and titled, “Receipt of a petition for your recall from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The notice dated March 25, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs Rose Oriaran Anthony, read, “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 contacted for confirmation of the notice from the INEC, Senator Natasha said she had not received any notice from the electoral body, questioning if INEC publishing the notice on its social media handles suffices.
She said, “I haven’t been served. Guess publishing it on their social media handles suffices? I will ask my lawyers. It’s all crazy.”
SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially accepted a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha after the petitioners provided the required contact details and address.
This came a day after INEC initially rejected the petition, citing the absence of verifiable contact information.
