Senator Simon Lalong Faces Potential Recall Amidst Constituent Discontent

Senator Simon Lalong of Plateau State may face a recall from his constituents in the near future, as indications suggest growing discontent among the electorate. The move is reportedly spearheaded by Senator Napoleon Bali, who previously represented Plateau South in the Senate until his removal by the Court of Appeal in October 2023, which paved the way for Lalong’s ascendancy to the seat.

Speaking to the Daily Times, Senator Bali revealed that their legal team is considering various options, including returning to court to seek redress for what they perceive as an injustice or pursuing the recall of those who assumed office based on the Appeal Court’s judgment. Bali indicated that constituents in Plateau South are actively collecting signatures to recall Senator Lalong, although he has not visited the district recently.

Senator Lalong, who served as the governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023, contested for the Plateau South senatorial seat under the All Progressive Congress (APC) but lost to Senator Bali of the PDP. However, following Bali’s removal and his subsequent elevation to the Senate, Lalong’s position in the upper legislative chamber is now under scrutiny.

Senator Bali asserted that the people of Plateau South are resolute in their stance against Senator Lalong and are gathering support for his recall. He stated that once the required number of signatures, equivalent to 50% of the total registered voters in the district, is obtained, a petition will be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for verification. If successful, this could lead to a referendum and potentially Lalong’s removal from office.

Politics Nigeria