A coalition of over 56 Civil Society Organisations has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the conviction of Prof. Peter Ogban, the returning officer in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North West senatorial election, for manipulating the poll in favour of Akpabio.
The appellate court sitting in Calabar, on Wednesday, upheld the three-year prison sentence earlier handed to Ogban, who was found guilty of falsifying election results to benefit the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and then candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
In a joint statement signed by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Centre for Social Justice and 50 other CSOs, on Monday, the groups expressed deep concern over the ruling, describing it as a development that raises critical questions about the legitimacy of Akpabio’s mandate.
“This ruling raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of Akpabio’s mandate. It is deeply troubling that the election, which brought him to the Senate, has now been judicially confirmed to have been manipulated. In any democratic society, such a development demands immediate accountability and responsible leadership,” the statement reads.
The CSOs acknowledged that while Akpabio has consistently denied any personal involvement in the fraud, the conviction of the official who declared him the winner casts a dark shadow over the credibility of the process.
They maintained that in the interest of public confidence, respect for the rule of law, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, the Senate President must temporarily vacate his position until the matter is conclusively addressed.
“Having been a confirmed beneficiary of electoral fraud in the 2019 election to the 9th Senate, which he did not complete due to his appointment as Minister of Niger Delta, does Akpabio have the legal or moral standing to contest for a seat in the 10th National Assembly, let alone serve as its President?” they queried.
The groups stressed that the issue transcends individual interests and touches on the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Allowing the Senate President to remain in office under such serious ethical questions undermines democratic values and sends a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.