The recent meeting between Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Lagos has sparked significant backlash. The Office of the President of the Senate, through a statement by media aide Jackson Udom, has faced criticism for its comments regarding the former INEC REC.
Udom’s statement alleged that Igini had previously attempted to undermine Akpabio’s 2023 senatorial victory. According to the statement, Igini had presided over the 2019 elections in Akwa Ibom State and allegedly violated the Electoral Act by manipulating the results in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It further claimed that Igini’s actions in the 2023 elections were aimed at obstructing Akpabio’s return to the Senate, noting that it required a Supreme Court ruling to affirm Akpabio’s status as the APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
The statement has been met with criticism from some legal professionals who attended the NBA Conference. They argue that the statement was made in bad faith and sought to tarnish Igini’s reputation, which they believe was unjustified given his integrity and performance as an INEC Commissioner.
In response to the controversy, legal expert Shola Akerele clarified that the meeting between Akpabio and Igini was not a “reconciliatory” one, as suggested by some reports. Akerele explained that Igini had been initially reluctant to meet with Akpabio when called upon, but this reluctance was not indicative of any ulterior motive or attempt to undermine Akpabio’s political ambitions.
The legal community’s reaction underscores ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the integrity of electoral processes and the conduct of public officials. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of such high-profile interactions and the statements made about them remain a topic of considerable interest and scrutiny.
