IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no4.2025.pg.189.205

---

The Recall Process in Nigeria: Legal Framework, Challenges and Implications

Frank Prince Diepreye

---

Abstract

Democratic governance hinges on the accountability of elected officials, with the recall process serving as a critical mechanism for citizens to remove underperforming legislators before term completion. In Nigeria, this process, enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), faces significant implementation challenges. This paper aims to analyze the legal framework, practical challenges, and comparative benchmarks of the recall process in Nigeria. Employing doctrinal legal analysis, case studies of prior recall efforts, and comparative analysis of practices in Kenya, Latin America, and the United States, the study finds that high signature thresholds, political interference, and logistical complexities undermine the effectiveness of the Nigerian recall process. It concludes that the current system is more theoretical than practical. Major recommendations include lowering the signature threshold, strengthening the independence and capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and enhancing voter education to ensure the recall process serves as a functional tool of democratic accountability.

keywords:

Recall, Democracy, Constitution, INEC, Accountability, Democratic Governance.

---

References:

Adebiyi, O. M. (2022). The Rise and Fall of the Saraki Political Dynasty and the 2019 General
Elections in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Administrative Science, 19(2), 1-22.
Anushiem, M. I., & Chukwumah, V. O. (2019). Recall Process Under the Constitution of
Federal Republic of Nigeria: A Critique. African Journal of Constitutional and
Administrative Law, 2.
Awotokun, K., & Okotoni, O. (2020). Governance and the executive-legislative relations since
Nigeria’s fourth republic (1999–2019) and beyond. Public Administration Research,
9(2), 20-37.
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. (As amended)
Hufron, Fikri, S., Satria, G. S., & Wibisono, R. B. (2024). The Power to Remove: A
Comparative inquiry into recall mechanisms in Indonesia and the Philippines.
International Comparative Jurisprudence, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.13165/j.icj.2024.12.003
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. (2024). Regulations And guidelines for
the recall of a member of the National Assembly, House of assembly of a State or Area
council of the Federal Capital Territory (2024)
NJOKU, C. O. (2021). Revisiting the recall process under the constitution of federal republic
of nigeria, 1999 (as amended): Imperatives of constitutional amendment. Renaisance
university law journal (rnulj), 1(1), 24-32.
Nnaji, E., & Uzoechi, R. (2024). Recall of Legislators as an Instrument of Legislative
Accountability: A Critique. Available at SSRN 4840141.
Office of the Secretary of State. (2024). Procedures for Recalling State and Local Officials.
Oraegbunam, I. K., & Onah, C. A. (2023). Constitutional Provision for Recall of Legislators
under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution: A Critical Examination. IRLJ, 5, 18.
Osakwe, O. O., Obidimma, E. O. C., & Okeke, O. E. (2024). The recall of legislators and quest
for sustainable democracy in nigeria. Nnamdi azikiwe university journal of human
rights law, 1(1).
Papadopoulos, Y. (2014). Accountability and multi-level governance: more accountability, less
democracy?. In Accountability and European Governance (pp. 102-121). Routledge.
Qvortrup, M. (2021). The recall as a mechanism for increasing accountability: An American
case study. In Democracy on demand (pp. 160-177). Manchester University Press.
Reuben, U. I. J. R., Amali, M. O., & Omoarebu, N. S. (2023). Critiquing the democratic ideals
of standing orders of legislative house through the prism of the rules of the delta state
house of assembly: lessons from a cross-country survey. Nigerian journal of legal
studies, 12.
Sahara Reporters. (2025). BREAKING: INEC Rejects Petition to Recall Senator Natasha, Cites
Failure to Meet Constitutional Requirements. Saharareporters.com.
https://saharareporters.com/2025/04/03/breaking-inec-rejects-petition-recall-senator-
natasha-cites-failure-meet-constitutional
Shadrack, D. T. (2019). Intra-party conflicts in Nigeria: an assessment of causes, effects and
conflict management strategies of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Studies in
politics and society, 8(1&2), 1620.
Sule, B. (2025). Political Parties and Representation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. In Nigerian
Political Parties in the Fourth Republic: Evolution, Characteristics and Dynamics of
Transformation (pp. 347-367). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
ThisDay Live. (2025). Akpoti-Uduaghan: Akpabio, Bello Using Fake Constituents to Initiate
Recall
Process – THISDAYLIVE. Thisdaylive.com. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/04/03/akpoti-uduaghan-akpabio-bello-
using-fake-constituents-to-initiate-recall-process/
United Nations. (2023). Goal 10: Reduce Inequality within and among Countries. United
Nations Sustainable Development; United Nations.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
Vandamme, P. E. (2020). Can the recall improve electoral representation?. Frontiers in
Political Science, 2, 6.
Wafula, S. B. (2024, June 19). Simplifying Accountability: Understanding The Process And
Challenges of Recalling an MP in Kenya. Soko Directory.
https://sokodirectory.com/2024/06/simplifying-accountability-understanding-the-
process-and-challenges-of-recalling-an-mp-in-kenya/
Whitehead, L. (2020). On reconciling recall with representation. The politics of recall elections,
229-247.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back