- The recall push for Senator Shehu Buba has intensified amid terror allegations
- A recall is a legal procedure enabling voters to remove an elected legislator from office
- TheRadar explained the legal process of removing elected legislators
The recall effort for Senator Shehu Buba, Bauchi South’s representative, is rapidly growing as he faces allegations of involvement with terror suspects in Northern Nigeria.
What is a recall?
A recall is a legal procedure allowing a validly elected legislator to be dismissed from office.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) earlier released updated guidelines and regulations governing the recall of lawmakers at both the state and federal levels.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday, September 19.
The decision was prompted by numerous constituents who called for the recall of their elected representatives in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly according to reports.
“The commission has, in the last few weeks, received several requests from different groups across the country for the recall of their representatives in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. Some of them have even requested the Commission to initiate the process of the recall on their behalf,” Olumekun stated.
Speaking further, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee clarified, “The commission only implements their request in line with Sections 69, 110, and 160 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Sections 2(c) and 113 of the Electoral Act, 2022.”
What is the process of recalling a lawmaker?
The recall process is a voting procedure where the electorate votes, typically through a referendum, to decide whether a legislator should complete their term or be removed from office. The vote is a simple yes or no, based on whether the electorate wishes to retain or recall the legislator.
The process is initiated when the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) receives a petition, signed by over half of the registered voters in the legislator’s constituency, expressing a lack of confidence in the official.
The petition requires signatures arranged by polling units, wards, local government areas, and the constituency.
If INEC finds the petition legitimate, it will inform the lawmaker of the petition for his/her recall.
What is the next step after recall petition?
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will issue a public notice detailing the date, time, and location for the verification of signatures on a recall petition. Only those on the electoral voters’ register are eligible to have their signatures counted toward the petition.
If the number of verified signatures is less than half of the registered voters in the legislator’s constituency, the petition will be rejected, and the petitioners will be notified that the minimum criteria for a referendum were not met.
However, if the petition fulfils the requirements, INEC will proceed with the next step which is conducting a referendum within 90 days of receiving the petition.
Should the referendum result in support for the recall, INEC is obligated to issue a Certificate of Recall to the Senate President, formally initiating the legislator’s removal from office.
Coalition demands removal of Senator Buba from security committee over banditry allegations
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the coalition of youth groups urged the Senate to remove Senator Shehu Umar Buba from his role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence.
The coalition stressed that Buba's role in national security is incompatible with ongoing allegations of terrorism.