2023: INEC clears air on reports of backdating documents for Lawan, Akpabio
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied doctoring and backdating documents to accommodate the nominations of Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Sen. Godswill Akpabio as senatorial candidates for the 2023 general elections.
The electoral umpire also said it was yet to recognise “any of the two personalities as a senatorial candidate.”
Recall that Sen. Lawan, who is the current Senate President, and Sen. Akpabio had both contested in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, which were won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Both had, however, chosen to pick up Senate tickets for Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial Districts respectively, sparking controversy over the legality of such a move since most Senate primaries had already been conducted before the presidential primaries.
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But the INEC, in its Tuesday statement signed by National Commissioner Festus Okoye, said the matter was still in court.
“The Forms of the two personalities in question were not published by the Commission.
“The decision of the Commission triggered legal action which is still ongoing.
“It, therefore, defies logic and common sense to go around and submit doctored documents purportedly recognizing the duo as candidates when the matter is sub-judice,” the INEC said.
