TMG sounds alarm over political interference in Ogban election fraud case, urges upholding of conviction

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of over 200 civil society organisations, has raised concerns about political efforts to undermine the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, sentenced to three years in prison for rigging the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial election in favour of Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The Court of Appeal in Calabar recently upheld Ogban’s conviction, prompting renewed calls for accountability and questions about Akpabio’s mandate as Senate President.

In a statement released on Wednesday, May 28, signed by Chairman Auwal Rafsanjani, TMG warned that attempts to weaken the ruling threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity. “We are alarmed that despite the clear ruling of the Court of Appeal upholding the conviction of Professor Ogban, there appears to be a coordinated attempt to neutralise the impact of the judgement and protect the beneficiaries of the fraud,” Rafsanjani said. He added, “Ignoring judicial rulings in a bid to protect political interests sets a dangerous precedent. The rule of law is non-negotiable in any democratic society.”

Ogban, the former returning officer, was convicted of falsifying election results to benefit Akpabio, then the APC candidate. TMG stressed that this ruling questions the legitimacy of Akpabio’s Senate mandate.

“This is not just about individual accountability,” the coalition noted. “It is about protecting the integrity of our institutions and restoring public confidence in elections.”

TMG praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner Mike Igini for their roles in pursuing justice. The group urged political and judicial authorities to resist pressure to dilute the court’s decision, calling for full enforcement of the rulings unless overturned by the Supreme Court.

“The judiciary has done its part. Now the political leadership, INEC, and the National Assembly must show Nigerians that no one is above the law,” Rafsanjani stated.

The coalition also highlighted the need for consequences to deter electoral fraud. “Until people begin to face real consequences for subverting the electoral process, Nigeria will continue to suffer from voter apathy and democratic decay,” TMG warned. It called for the prosecution of all electoral offenders to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic future.