Martins Oke,
A political storm is brewing in Enugu State as registered voters from the Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency have formally petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recall their House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Martins Oke.
In a petition made available to DAILY GAZETTE, which was dated March 27, 2025, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, the constituents—led by Mr. Ugwuagbo Emmanuel Chizoba, alongside Mr. Clinton Ogbonna, Mr. Sabinus Amah, and Mr. Stephen Okenwa—cited multiple reasons for their demand, including alleged electoral injustice, non-performance, lack of constituency engagement, and incompetence.
The petitioners claim that Oke, who is serving his third term in the National Assembly, was not their legitimate choice during the last election.
According to them, he lost at the polls but was declared the winner by the Court of Appeal on what they described as “technical grounds.”
They insist that he “snatched the mandate through the courts” and are determined to reclaim it through the constitutional recall process.
Beyond contesting his legitimacy, the constituents accuse the lawmaker of gross underperformance.
They argue that despite spending years in the House of Representatives, Oke has not sponsored any significant bills or motions and has failed to deliver tangible constituency projects.
“He contributes nothing to local, state, or national discourse. We don’t see him at home, we don’t see him on TV, and we still don’t see him in the National Assembly chambers,” the petition reads.
The lawmakers’ critics further allege that he has abandoned his constituency, failing to establish a functional constituency office or engage with the people through town hall meetings.
“He is completely disconnected from the electorate,” they claim.
To back their petition, the constituents say they have secured signatures from at least 50% plus one of the registered voters in the constituency, meeting the constitutional threshold for initiating a recall process.
They have submitted the list of signatories and voters’ registration details to INEC for verification.
The petitioners have urged INEC to act swiftly in line with Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution by conducting a referendum on the recall within the stipulated 90-day period.
Meanwhile, the move has sparked reactions across political circles in Enugu State.
While Oke’s supporters argue that the recall attempt is politically motivated, many constituents insist it is a genuine demand for accountability and representation.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that INEC is yet to respond to the petition.
For those who wish to sign the petition, the organizers have provided an online link: Click here to sign.
