CSOs Urge Akpabio To Step Aside Amid Electoral Fraud Fallout
A coalition of 56 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step down following the Court of Appeal’s confirmation of electoral fraud in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial election.
The court, sitting in Calabar, upheld a three-year prison sentence against Professor Peter Ogban, the returning officer in that election, who was convicted of falsifying results to favour Akpabio, then the APC candidate.
In a joint statement, the CSOs said: “This ruling raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of Senator Akpabio’s mandate.” They argue that even though Akpabio denies personal involvement, the conviction of the official who declared him winner casts a shadow on the process.
They are demanding that Akpabio temporarily vacate his position to uphold public trust, democratic values, and the rule of law. The groups also questioned his eligibility to contest the 2023 elections, given the court-confirmed fraud linked to his 2019 victory—an office he later left to serve as Minister of Niger Delta.
The CSOs praised INEC and former Akwa Ibom REC, Mike Igini, for pursuing the case to a conclusion and urged the APC to initiate a rerun or revalidation of the senatorial seat to reinforce public confidence.
“The judiciary has spoken. It is now up to political leaders to act responsibly and prove that no one is above the law—not even the Senate President,” they concluded.
