In a thunderous call for accountability and the restoration of public trust in Nigeria’s democracy, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), and 54 other prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) have demanded the immediate resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Their demand follows the recent judgment by the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, which upheld the three-year prison sentence of Professor Peter Ogban, a returning officer convicted of manipulating the results of the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial election in favour of Akpabio, who was then a candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition, in a powerful joint statement released on Monday, said the appellate court’s verdict shatters the legitimacy of Akpabio’s senatorial mandate and raises fundamental concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“This ruling raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of Senator Akpabio’s mandate,” the groups declared. “It is deeply troubling that the election which brought him to the Senate has now been judicially confirmed to have been manipulated. In any democratic society, such a development demands immediate accountability and responsible leadership.”
While Senator Akpabio continues to deny personal involvement in the electoral fraud, the conviction of the official who oversaw and announced his victory casts a long and damning shadow over the credibility of that election—and, by extension, his continued tenure as Senate President.
According to the CSOs, Akpabio’s resignation is not only a matter of ethical obligation but a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
“This is not just about one individual. It is about restoring public trust in our electoral process. Allowing the Senate President to remain in office under such serious ethical questions undermines democratic values and sends a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement read.
They further asserted that the judiciary has done its part by ensuring justice through the conviction of Ogban, and now it is up to Nigeria’s political leadership to respond decisively.
“The judiciary has done its part. It is now up to the political leadership to rise to the occasion and show Nigerians and the world that no one is above the law—not even the Senate President,” the coalition emphasized.
The groups didn’t stop there. They raised profound questions about whether Akpabio should have been allowed to contest the 2023 general elections in the first place, considering the tainted victory of 2019, which he never saw to completion due to his ministerial appointment.
“Having been a confirmed beneficiary of electoral fraud in the 2019 election to the 9th Senate, which he did not even complete due to his later appointment as Minister of Niger Delta, did Senator Akpabio have the legal or moral standing to contest for a seat in the 10th National Assembly, let alone serve as its President?” they asked pointedly.
The coalition also praised the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially former Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, for his courage in initiating the investigation and pushing for accountability in a politically sensitive environment.
They urged the National Assembly, INEC, and the judiciary to seize this moment as an opportunity to reform and reinforce mechanisms that deter and punish electoral malpractice at every level.
The CSOs concluded by challenging the APC leadership to rise above partisan interests and demonstrate genuine commitment to electoral reform and democratic accountability by initiating a rerun or revalidation process for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat.
“This moment presents a defining test for Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement concluded. “Will our leaders uphold justice and integrity, or will they allow impunity to reign at the highest levels of government?”
PIONEER NEWS 