TIMOTHY ODEDINA
In Nigeria’s heated political environment, emotions often override facts—especially when it comes to elections. A recent example is the misleading narrative surrounding the conviction of Prof. Peter Ogban, a former INEC official, and the false insinuation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio benefited from electoral fraud.
Several media outlets, commentators, and even some lawyers have pushed a distorted version of events, suggesting that Akpabio was declared the winner of a rigged election. However, court documents and verified reports from credible newspapers like *Punch* tell a completely different story.
The 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial Election: What Really Happened?
The election, held on February 23, 2019, was contested between:
– Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC)– Former Governor and then-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
– Senator Chris Ekpeyong (PDP) – The incumbent at the time.
Prof. Peter Ogban, a university professor serving as the INEC Returning Officer, announced Ekpeyong as the winner—not Akpabio.
How the Election Was Manipulated Against Akpabio
1. Cancellation of Votes – Prof. Ogban unlawfully cancelled 61,329 votes from Akpabio’s stronghold (Essien Udim LGA), effectively tilting the result in Ekpeyong’s favour.
2. Falsification of Results – Evidence presented in court showed that Ogban manipulated figures to favour the PDP candidate.
Akpabio’s Legal Victory: Tribunal and Court of Appeal Rulings
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Akpabio challenged the results at the Election Petition Tribunal.
– September 12, 2019 – Punch reported: “Tribunal robbed Senator Akpabio of victory – Justice Hafizu”, indicating that the tribunal acknowledged irregularities but did not outrightly declare Akpabio the winner.
– November 10, 2019 – Punch headline: “Akpabio wins appeal, court orders rerun in LG”. The Court of Appeal nullified the election and ordered a rerun in Essien Udim LGA due to proven malpractice by Prof. Ogban.
The Irony: How Did Akpabio Become the ‘Beneficiary’ of a Fraud That Cost Him the Election?
Some commentators, including Oseni Rufai and Chidi Odinkalu, have falsely claimed that Ogban rigged the election for Akpabio. But the facts show the opposite:
1. Ogban declared Akpabio’s opponent the winner.
2. Akpabio had to go to court to reclaim his mandate.
3. Ogban never testified in Akpabio’s favour—instead, he was convicted for working against him.
The Conviction of Prof. Ogban: What Did the Court Really Say?
In March 2021, a High Court in Akwa Ibom convicted Ogban for electoral fraud and falsification of results. Importantly:
– The court found that he manipulated results to favour Ekpeyong (PDP), not Akpabio (APC).
– The Appeal Court upheld this conviction, reinforcing that Ogban’s actions were against Akpabio’s interest.
Why Are Some Nigerians Spreading False Narratives?
1. Lack of Fact-Checking – Many commentators did not read the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the judgments before making accusations.
2. Political Bias – Critics of Akpabio are quick to push negative narratives without verifying facts.
3. Sensationalism in Media – Some headlines framed Ogban’s conviction as if Akpabio was involved when the opposite was true.
Conclusion: Nigerians Must Demand Fact-Based Reporting
The Akpabio-Ogban case is a classic example of how misinformation spreads when people rely on emotions rather than evidence. The courts have spoken clearly:
– Akpabio was a victim, not a beneficiary, of electoral fraud.
– Prof. Ogban rigged the election for his opponent, not for him.
Before jumping to conclusions, Nigerians—especially journalists and lawyers—must read court documents and verify facts. Democracy suffers when false narratives overshadow the truth.
Let’s hold the media and commentators accountable for accurate reporting.
References:
– Punch Newspaper (September 12, 2019) – “Tribunal robbed Senator Akpabio of victory – Justice Hafizu”
– Punch Newspaper* (November 10, 2019) – “Akpabio wins appeal, court orders rerun in LG”
– Court of Appeal Judgement (CA/C/EPT/NA/31/2019)
– High Court of Akwa Ibom State (Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/01/2021)
– The Nation Newspaper (June 23, 2019) Tribunal: drama as witness presents document confirming Akpabio won with wide margin
– Timothy Odedina is a Political Analyst who writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.