Registered voters in the Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency of Enugu State have officially begun the process to recall their representative in the House of Representatives, Martins Oke.
A petition dated March 27, 2025, was sent to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), outlining the reasons for the recall. The petitioners—Ugwuagbo Emmanuel Chizoba, Clinton Ogbonna, Sabinus Amah, and Stephen Okenwa—cited Oke’s alleged failure to perform his duties as their primary reason for seeking his removal.
The letter expressed frustration over the lawmaker’s lack of visible impact, accusing him of being absent from key legislative activities.
“This is his third term in the Federal House of Representatives. There’s no popular bill or motion to his name. 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 stated.
Beyond claims of non-performance, the petitioners also alleged that Oke was not truly elected by the constituents but was imposed on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the party’s wishes.
They further argued that he lost the general election by a wide margin but was declared the winner by the Appeal Court on technical grounds.
“We want to take back our mandate that he snatched through the courts,” the petitioners asserted, insisting that they were reclaiming what they believe was stolen.
The petitioners also accused Oke of neglecting his constituency, alleging that he had no constituency office and was rarely seen in the area. They claimed he had never held a town hall meeting to engage with constituents and remained distant from the people.
“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 petitioners emphasized that their recall effort complies with constitutional requirements, stating that at least 50% of registered voters in the constituency had signed the petition, as required by law.
This move to recall Oke comes at a time when a similar process is being initiated against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
