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Residents of Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency in Enugu State have initiated the process to recall Hon. Martins Oke, the lawmaker representing them in the House of Representatives.
In a petition dated March 27, 2025, and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the constituents expressed dissatisfaction with Hon. Oke’s performance, citing several reasons for their decision. The petition, signed by over 50% of registered voters in the constituency, was championed by representatives including Mr. Ugwuagbo Emmanuel Chizoba, Mr. Clinton Ogbonna, Mr. Sabinus Amah, and Mr. Stephen Okenwa.
The petitioners alleged that the lawmaker, now in his third term, has failed to propose any significant bills or motions and has not initiated visible constituency projects. According to them, Hon. Oke has been absent both physically and in terms of contributions during National Assembly sessions. “He contributes nothing to local, state, or national discourse. He isn’t representing us at all,” they lamented.
Further allegations included claims that Hon. Oke was not the popular choice in the last elections. The petitioners described his victory as a product of technicalities at the Appeal Court, insisting that he lost the general election by a wide margin. They accused him of being “imposed” on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the wishes of party members.
Additionally, the petitioners criticized Hon. Oke’s disconnect from the constituency, citing his lack of a constituency office, absence of town hall meetings, and minimal engagement with his constituents. “We don’t see him at home, we don’t see him on TV, and we don’t see him on the seat during NASS sessions,” they stated.
The recall process has garnered attention as the constituents seek to reclaim their representation, urging INEC to act promptly in addressing their concerns.
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Recall Election Process
The recall election process in Nigeria involves several legal steps, as outlined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC):
- Petition Submission: Constituents initiate the recall by submitting a petition to INEC. This petition must be signed by more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. It should clearly state the reasons for the recall and include organized signatures or thumbprints along with voter identification and INEC notifies the lawmaker.
- Verification Process: INEC conducts a verification exercise to confirm that the petition is endorsed by the required number of voters. This involves appointing verification officers and organizing the process at designated polling units within the constituency.
- Referendum: If the verification confirms the petition’s validity, INEC proceeds to conduct a referendum within 90 days of receiving the petition. Voting is carried out in all polling units within the constituency, following INEC’s regulations and guidelines.
These steps ensure that the recall process is transparent and democratic.
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