2023: We still don’t recognise Akpabio, Lawan as senatorial candidates – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted it never backdated any documents, in a bid to accommodate the nominations of Ahmad Lawan and Godswill Akpabio as senatorial candidates for the 2023 general elections.

The electoral body also made it clear it is yet to recognise “any of the two personalities as a Senatorial candidate.”

Lawan, who is the current Senate President and Akpabio had both contested in the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries, which was won by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Both have 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.

INEC, in its Tuesday statement signed by National Commissioner Festus Okoye, said the matter is still in court.

“The Forms of the two personalities in question were not published by the Commission,” INEC said.

“The decision of the Commission triggered legal action which are still ongoing.

“It therefore defies logic and common sense to go around and submit doctored documents purportedly recognising the duo as candidates when the matter is clearly sub-judice.”