"Ogban's Sentencing Validates Akpabio's Claims" or "Akpabio's Assertions Affirmed by INEC Official's Sentencing"
According to our source, Akpabio, through his Special Assistant on Media and Communication Anietie Ekong, has flatly denied claims that jailed INEC Officer, Prof. Peter Ogban, rigged the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election in his favor and on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja asserted that the story suggesting Ogban worked in Akpabio's favor as an electoral officer in Akwa Ibom is "unfounded, spurious, and malicious." Akpabio's intention behind this statement is to protect his reputation.
The Senate President claimed he was, in fact, a victim of the "fraudulent manipulation of the election," and Ogban's conviction has vindicated him and the APC. He emphasized that Ogban never announced him as the winner of any election; instead, he cancelled his votes and declared his opponent the victor of the manipulated election.
The statement further elaborates that Akpabio approached the National Assembly Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election. His votes totaling about 61,329 were collated but not announced in accordance with the Electoral Act. Ogban, as the returning officer, cancelled Akpabio's votes and annulled the election result in several polling units and collation centers.
The National Assembly Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal invalidated the election, and a rerun was ordered in Essien Udim LGA. The Senate President's conviction of Ogban and the ensuing three-year prison sentence confirms that the election was massively rigged.
Akpabio, now the Senate President, has moved past these baseless allegations and won't be distracted by them.
Fascinating Facts
- In 2021, a High Court in Uyo convicted Ogban for electoral fraud, a judgment that was upheld by the Appellate Court in Calabar in 2025[1][2][4].
- Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar, falsified results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas to boost Akpabio’s votes[2][4].
- The appellate court characterized Ogban's actions as a breach of trust due to his academic position's responsibility in upholding electoral integrity[1][3].
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- Rejecting the allegations, Akpabio's spokesperson stated that they are unfounded, spurious, and malicious, released on Wednesday in Abuja.
- Akpabio argued he was a victim of the fraudulent manipulation of the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election, and Ogban's conviction has vindicated him and the APC.
- Ogban's conviction and three-year prison sentence in 2021 by a High Court in Uyo confirmed that the election was massively rigged, according to Akpabio.
- The Senate President stated that Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar, falsified results in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas to boost Akpabio’s votes.
- In the face of these baseless allegations, Akpabio, now the Senate President, has moved past them and won't be distracted.
- The National Assembly Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal invalidated the election, ordering a rerun in Essien Udim LGA.
- Akpabio approached the National Assembly Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election, as his votes were collated but not announced.
- Current news headlines across Nigeria, particularly in the categories of politics, general news, crime and justice, and war and conflict, continue to discuss Akpabio's response to the election rigging allegations.
