Enugu constituents petition INEC to recall lawmaker over poor performance

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been petitioned to begin the recall process for Oke Martins, the lawmaker representing Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency in Enugu State.

In a petition dated March 27, 2025, the constituents accused Martins of poor performance and lack of participation in legislative matters. The petition, addressed to the INEC Chairman, was signed by key community representatives, including Mr. Ugwuagbo Emmanuel Chizoba, Mr. Clinton Ogbonna, Mr. Sabinus Amah, and Mr. Stephen Okenwa.

“This is his 3rd term in the Federal House of Representatives. There’s no popular bill or motion to his name,” the petitioners stated.“There are no visible constituency projects to his name, and we don’t see or hear him during the NASS sittings. He contributes NOTHING to local, State or national discourse. He isn’t representing us at all.”

The petitioners further alleged that Oke was not legitimately elected by the people but was imposed on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “against the wishes of the party.”

According to them, “the lawmaker lost the general election by a wide margin, but the Appeal Court declared him winner based on technicalities. We want to take back our mandate that he snatched through the courts.”

They also accused him of being disconnected from his constituents.“He has never held a town hall meeting to interact with his constituents and remains completely disconnected from the people,” they said.“We don’t see him at home, we don’t see him on TV, and we still don’t see him on the seat during NASS Sessions.

“He has shown a lack of commitment to the welfare of his constituents, failing to address pressing issues affecting the people of Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency,” they added.

The petition claims that over 50% of registered voters in the constituency have signed in support of the recall, meeting the constitutional threshold required to initiate the process.