In Nigeria, the idea of recalling an elected official is meant to give the people a direct way to hold leaders accountable. In theory, if over 50 per cent of registered voters sign a petition and later vote for removal, a leader can be forced out before their term ends. However, in practice, this process is extremely difficult to complete.

For one, gathering signatures from more than half of a constituency’s voters is a huge challenge, especially in a country where voter apathy and low turnout are common. Even if a petition is successfully signed, all signatures must be verified by the INEC, a process that can delay or even stop the effort.

After verification, a recall referendum is held, and for the recall to succeed, a simple majority of all registered voters (not just those who signed) must vote “Yes.” Given the low turnout in most elections, this threshold is nearly impossible to reach.

The recall process targeting Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is a clear example of these challenges. Her recall petition was mired by allegations of fraudulent signatures, which led to a court injunction stopping INEC from accepting any petitions with “fictitious” names and signatures. This legal barrier shows how even when citizens mobilise to demand accountability, technical and legal hurdles can completely block their efforts.

Moreover, partisan interests and political manipulation further complicate the process. Political groups may use the recall process to serve their own agendas, undermining its role as a tool for genuine accountability. Instead of ensuring that leaders face consequences for poor performance, the recall process in Nigeria often ends up protecting officials from removal by setting nearly impossible standards for citizen action.

The case of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not an isolated incident, it is a symptom of a wider problem. Without a reform that lowers the thresholds and streamlines the verification and referendum steps, the recall process will remain a theoretical option rather than a practical remedy for democratic accountability.

The people deserve a system where elected officials are truly answerable to their constituents, but until the recall process is made accessible and fair, democracy in Nigeria risks being an empty promise of accountability.

 

Baba Abdullahi Machina can be reached via babamachina1990@gmail.com