Pressure on Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is not abating with a group of fifty-six civil society organisations now wanting him to resign.
They made the call after the Court of Appeal in Calabar upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban for electoral fraud. The case dates back to the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial election.
Ogban, who served as the returning officer, was sentenced to three years in prison. The court ruled that he falsified election results to favour Akpabio, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate at the time.
The CSOs said the ruling casts doubt on Akpabio’s mandate.
“This ruling raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of Senator Akpabio’s mandate,” they said in a joint statement.
They added: “It is deeply troubling that the election which brought him to the Senate has now been judicially confirmed to have been manipulated.”
Call for Resignation to Rebuild Public Trust
The CSOs said Akpabio should step down—at least temporarily. They argued that doing so would help restore public trust.
“Allowing the Senate President to remain in office under such serious ethical questions undermines democratic values,” they said.
“It sends a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Akpabio has denied any wrongdoing. But the civil groups insist that the conviction of Ogban, his former electoral officer, leaves many questions unanswered.
“The judgment casts a dark shadow over the credibility of that election,” the groups said.
They also questioned Akpabio’s moral and legal right to serve in the 10th National Assembly. They pointed out that he didn’t even complete his term, as he left for a ministerial appointment.
Praise for INEC and Push for Electoral Reform
The groups praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially Mike Igini, who was the Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner at the time.
They said his role in prosecuting Ogban showed bravery and commitment to electoral justice.
The group also want APC to consider organising a fresh senatorial rerun or revalidating the 2019 election result.
They called on INEC and the National Assembly to tighten electoral safeguards.
Among the signatories are Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT Foundation, CLEEN Foundation, and Yiaga Africa.
Akpabio became Senate President in June 2023. He is a former governor and a powerful figure in Nigerian politics.
But the growing calls for accountability are causing pressure on his office. The senate president had also been under public scrutiny over allegations of sexual harassment by a female colleague, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment, share this article and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
