Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Monday met with former Resident Electoral Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, for the first time.
The two met during the ongoing 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Lagos, according to a statement from Jackson Udom, one of Akpabio’s media aides.
During their exchange, Igini remarked, “This is the first time I am meeting the President of the Senate in person; we have only seen each other on television.”
Akpabio also acknowledged that he had never met the former INEC chief in person until today.
The statement reads in part: “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 allegedly involved in another attempt to truncate Akpabio’s efforts at returning to the Red Chambers by recognizing a faction of the party.
“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.”