Jailed INEC Staff Didn’t Rig Election for Us – Akpabio’s Aide

Anietie Ekong, the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media, has strongly refuted claims that Professor Peter Ogban, a jailed official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rigged the 2019 elections in favor of Senator Godswill Akpabio. Ekong dismissed the allegations, stating that Akpabio neither directly nor indirectly benefited from Ogban’s actions.

In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, Ekong criticized those making these claims, describing them as malicious individuals intent on tarnishing Akpabio’s reputation. The controversy stems from Ogban’s conviction by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, which upheld a lower court’s decision that he was guilty of electoral fraud.

Ekong clarified that the claims of electoral manipulation to favor Akpabio were entirely false. He referenced an earlier statement he made when Akpabio was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, which denied similar accusations. According to Ekong, Ogban was convicted after he was found guilty of fraudulent manipulation of the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election results. He explained that Akpabio, who was the APC candidate seeking re-election to the Senate, was actually a victim of Ogban’s actions.

Ogban, who served as the Returning Officer for the district, had unlawfully cancelled Akpabio’s votes, including 61,329 votes from his home local government area of Essien Udim. The cancellation of votes led to the announcement of Akpabio’s opponent as the winner. Akpabio contested the election result at the National Assembly Election Tribunal, which ruled in his favor, and the Court of Appeal subsequently confirmed the tribunal’s decision and ordered a rerun in Essien Udim.

Ekong emphasized that the facts of the case proved Akpabio’s innocence, pointing out that he would not have challenged the election outcome in court if he had benefited from the fraud. He also stated that Ogban’s sentencing has now vindicated Akpabio and the APC, confirming that the election was manipulated.

The media aide further criticized the notion that Akpabio could have been complicit in the fraud, especially given that Ogban had cancelled legitimate votes in favor of the opposition. Ekong added that those still propagating these claims were simply trying to distract Akpabio, who has since moved on to become the Senate President. He also hinted that more individuals involved in the manipulation of the election would eventually be brought to justice.