The National Youth Council of Nigerian (NYCN) says emerging facts have vindicated Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate in the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban for electoral fraud.
Prof. Peter Ogban, a University Professor who served as the returning officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the February 23, 2019 Senatorial election in Akwa Ibom State was convicted of electoral fraud, having been found guilty of falsifying election results and illegally declaaring Senator Chris Ekpeyong as the winner of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial district.
But in a stark disregard of the facts on ground, a few Nigerians including learned persons and even some media outlets have adopted a different version of what transpired in the courts, insinuating that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio is beneficiary of the electoral fraud committed by Prof. Peter Ogban.
The NYCN in a statement signed it’s President Amb. Solomon Adodo on behalf of other youth groups
frowned at those deliberately twisting the facts in a bid to mislead Nigerians and vowed to continue exposing falsehood wherever it is found in and around the corridors of power.
“The recent controversy surrounding the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban and the deliberate attempt to link his criminal record with the impeccable personality of Senate Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate is one of the dangerous manifestations of falsehood deliberately targeted at the character and personality of an innocent man.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio, a man who has served the country meritoriously, first as a two term Governor, Minister, a ranking Senator and now the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been singled out for this systemic misinformation, falsehood and blackmail.
“We have decided to intervene because an African proverb says, when you see your neighbours beards on fire, start pouring water on your beard. If nothing is done to checkmate this fraud, in no distant time, all public office holders, government appointees and other highly placed citizens will become victims of this new and demonic enterprise.
“To put the records straight, the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial elections were held on February 23, 2019. The contest was between Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Chris Ekpeyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Prof. Peter Ogban, a Returning Officer appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared and announced Senator Chris Ekpeyong as the winner of that election and not Godswill Akpabio as many would want the public to believe that Akpabio benefited from any fraudulent acts committed by Ogban.
“Indeed, there are verifiable facts that the election was4 manipulated against Senator Godswill Akpabio. For instance, Prof. Ogban unlawfully cancelled 61,329 votes from Akpabio’s stronghold (Essien Udim LGA), effectively tilting the result in Ekpeyong’s favour. Similarly, evidence presented in court showed that Ogban falsified figures to favour the PDP candidate.
“It was at the Appeal Court that Akpabio regained his mandate after the Court ordered for a rerun in the affected Local Government Area. How then, can any right thinking individual conclude that Ogban rigged the election in favour of Akpabio?
“It is also in the public domain that, in March 2021, a High Court in Akwa Ibom convicted Professor Peter Ogban for electoral fraud and falsification of results. The court found that he manipulated results to favour the candidate of PDP, Senator Chris Ekpeyong and not Senator Godswill Akpabio of the APC. The Appeal Court upheld this conviction, reinforcing that Ogban’s actions were against Akpabio’s interest.
“It is therefore, a dangerous enterprise for anybody to willfully distort very obvious facts like these just because they want to score cheap political points. To even think that very highly placed Nigerians believed this twisted falsehood and even propagated it on notable media channels is disheartening.
“As Nigerians, the exposition of this deviously orchestrated misinformation charade should awaken us to be more critical of whatever we see in the media especially against persons with distinguished track records”, the text stated.
NYCN, on behalf of other youth groups lauded the cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature which they described as cordial, passing a vote of confidence in the Senate President and urging him to continue with the good work he is doing as Nigerian youths are ready to partner and collaborate with him in any area of need.
“As Nigerian youths, we applaud the collaborative relationship between the President and Senate which has angered a few crisis entrepreneurs who thrive when there are conflicts. We have resolved more than ever to continue exposing these fraudsters and anti patroitic elements whose antics are inimical to the progress of our dear nation.
“We urge Senate President to remain steadfast and committed in his duties. As a youth group, we shall continue to give him the needed support to carry out his duties. Our doors are open to partner and collaborate with the Nigerian Senatee even as well pass a massive vote of confidence in his administration”, the text concluded.