Amidst the backlash that has greeted the statement from the Office of the President of the Senate over the 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, a legal luminary, Shola Akerele, has explained that the former INEC REC was reluctant to meet with the President of the Senate when he was beckoned upon.

Recall that the media aide to the President of the Senate, Jackson Udom, had in a scathing statement insinuated how Igini made efforts to truncate Akpabio’s election victory in 2023.

The statement partly read: “It would be recalled that Igini presided over the 2019 elections in Akwa Ibom State. He ordered the results of the Senatorial election of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, to be taken to Uyo for declaration of the winner against the Electoral Act.

“Igini, presided over the declaration of the results after the figures were cancelled and results sheets mutilated in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The former Akwa Ibom INEC chief before, during and after the 2023 general elections was involved in another attempt to truncate Akpabio’s efforts at returning to the Red Chambers by recognizing a faction of the party.

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“It took the pronouncement of the Supreme Court for Akpabio to be recognized as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.

“Despite all the landmines on Akpabio’s way to the Senate, the will of the people of Akwa Ibom North West, finally prevailed when he was declared the winner of the Senatorial contest in a landslide victory and subsequently elected the President of the 10th Senate.”

The statement did not go down well with some of the lawyers that were at the NBA Conference that witnessed what happened.

They claimed that the statement from the Senate President office was written in bad faith and meant to impinge on the integrity of a man that was adjudged to be upright in the discharge of his duties as INEC Commissioner.

Barrister Akerele, who reacted to the picture taken by the President of the Senate and Igini and the purported reconciliatory meeting by the duo, said there was nothing like reconciliatory meeting as was insinuated in some quarters.

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According to him, “The recent photograph capturing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Resident Electoral Commissioner Barr. Mike Igini, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Barr. Solomon Umoh at the NBA Conference in Lagos has stirred a whirlwind of interpretations across social media.

“Various narratives, often laden with political undertones, have surface, some symbolizing reconciliation, others suggesting political maneuvering. Yet, most of these interpretations lack the credibility of firsthand experience.

“As someone who was present at the event and seated close to Barr. Mike Igini, I offer a detailed and factual account of the circumstances surrounding this photograph, particularly shedding light on Barr. Mike Igini’s visible reluctance to oblige the request in the first instance.”

Continuing, he said, “Amidst this atmosphere, Akpabio began exchanging pleasantries with dignitaries seated nearby, his laughter punctuating the ongoing session.

“It was during this time that Barr. Solomon Umoh, who had previously engaged in legal battles with Akpabio, caught his attention. The two exchanged cordial greetings, a sight that caught the attention of many in the hall.

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“Umoh, in a surprising turn on the request of Akpabio who apparently had been told that Barr. Mike lgini was seated close by sought to meet him. Solomon Umoh SAN beckoned Barr. Mike Igini. I clearly heard Umoh convey Akpabio’s request for a photograph.

“Igini, ever the epitome of professional decorum, hesitated and it was those of us seated close to him that appealed to him not to shun him.

“His reluctance was evident as he slowly approached the spot where Akpabio and Umoh were standing waiting for him. It was clear to those observing that Igini was uncomfortable with the situation.

“His reluctance was not rooted in animosity, but in an understanding of the optics and implications of such an image, especially considering Akpabio’s penchant for leveraging public appearances for personal gain. Now we know better why lgini was reluctant.

“Despite his reservations, Igini obliged out of respect for the office of the Senate President, a gesture of courtesy rather than camaraderie. The photograph was taken, and within hours, it became fodder for social media speculation.

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“The narrative quickly spun out of control, with the image being touted as a symbol of reconciliation—a gross misrepresentation of the actual events. Igini’s fears were realized as the photograph was used to paint Akpabio in a light of unwarranted sanctity, twisting a moment of professional courtesy into a political tool.”

He further said, “The truth of the matter is that Igini’s presence in that photograph was a product of circumstance, respect for the senior lawyers and judges on the second roll that lgini was seated that appealed to him and not a matter of choice.

“His reluctance and the eventual use of the image highlight the manipulative tendencies of political actors who seek to exploit even the smallest gestures for their gain.

“As an eyewitness, it is crucial to correct the record: Igini’s involvement was nothing more than an act of professional respect, not an endorsement or a sign of reconciliation given that lgini had publicly stated severally that he has no personal issue with Akpabio or anyone but only carry out a public duty as an Umpire who must be above board like julius ceaser’s wife.

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“Thus, the narrative being spun around by one character Jackson Udom, the media aide to Senator Godswill Akpabio about the photograph is a disservice to truth and to the integrity of these personalities especially Igini, a man that overwhelming majority of Nigerians continue to applaud and attest to his unquestionable integrity and votary for due electoral process.

“The facts of how both Senator Akpabio and Ahmed Lawan two whom were presidential aspirants that participated in a convention on June and stepped down but suddenly won a senatorial contest that took place much earlier in May endorsed by a corrupt supreme Court are well known to Nigerians.

“No amount of lies and revisionism can change what Nigerians know about what happened. But for lgini’s unwavering commitment and doggeddnes in August 2014, Governor Rauf Aregbeshola would have been rigged out in lfe south base of his opponent Senator lyola Omisore.”
Vanguard