Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied claims that jailed INEC Electoral Officer, Prof. Peter Ogban, worked in his favor during the 2019 election. Akpabio’s media aide stated that the claim is unfounded, spurious, and malicious, intended to tarnish the Senate President’s image.

According to the statement, Ogban was convicted for electoral fraud in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District election, where Akpabio was a candidate. However, Akpabio’s team claims that he was actually a victim of the fraudulent manipulation, with Ogban cancelling his lawfully collated votes and announcing his opponent as the winner.

Akpabio had challenged the election outcome, and the Court of Appeal ultimately invalidated the election and ordered a rerun. The Senate President’s aide argued that this contradicts claims that Ogban worked in Akpabio’s favor, instead suggesting that Akpabio was unfairly treated in the process.