Recall of Aniocha/Oshimili Rep Okolie Commences as INEC Receives Notice from Constituency

The process for the recall of Hon. Ngozi Okolie, the embattled member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representative reached advanced stage as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received an official Notice of Recall to that effect from his constituency.

Already, more than 65.2% of the registered voters in the constituency which is above the constitutionally required 50% are said to favour Okolie’s recall

The formal petition addressed to the Chairman of INEC dated 5th February 2025 and signed by Chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Dr. Tony Curtis and Secretary, Austin Madu affirmed that the demand for Hon. Okolie’s recall is based on the decision of the majority of the registered voters in the Constituency.

The petition which was received and stamped by the Office of the Chairman of INEC at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja stated that the decision of the Constituency to recall the lawmaker is pursuant to the provisions of Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

Okolie is facing recall following a reported loss of confidence in him by his constituency over alleged underperformance, lack of capacity, estrangement from and disregard for wellbeing of the constituency, failure to attract meaningful development projects, alleged personal enrichment and failure to give adequate account of constituency development fund reportedly released to him at the National Assembly.

The petition sighted by journalists at the INEC headquarters stated that “the decision arises due to Hon Okolie’s consistent underperformance, lack of effective leadership and disregard for the people he was elected to serve. His failure to demonstrate the competence, commitment and responsibility expected of a representative has resulted in a lack of meaningful development and proper representation of our Constituency at the national level”

It further reads, “In accordance with Section 69 and 110 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), we are exercising our constitutional right to initiate this recall process. The Constitution have resolved to move forward with this action in a transparent and lawful manner.

“As per the legal framework, we have started collecting signatures from more than 65.2% of the registered voters in the constituency. Once the signatures are verified, a referendum will be conducted within 90 days, as stipulated by law. We anticipate submitting the complete petition, along with the required signatures to your office in the next two weeks.

“We kindly request that INEC take necessary steps to facilitate this process, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal requirement and guidelines. We trust that your esteemed office will act swiftly to uphold the democratic principles that guide our nation” the notice stated.

A source at INEC headquarters confirmed the receipt of the Notice of Recall on Hon. Okolie adding that the Commission will comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022 by facilitating the referendum once it received the signatures.