INEC Commissioner Reacts To Rigging Claims

How would you react if you were paid N5 billion in cash to rig the elections? The resident electoral commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Austin Okojie, says he would collapse. Okojie said this on Tuesday while briefing accredited media professionals for the general elections in Uyo, Leadership reports. “I was welcomed to the state with a false report that I was given five billion naira to come and rig the election.’’ He expressed displeasure over the report and urged journalists in the state to desist from reports capable of misrepresenting officials of the commission. “Five days of my being posted to Akwa Ibom state, a newspaper published a report that I was given five billion naira to come and rig the election in favour of some candidates in the forthcoming elections. “I was shocked to see such a report as I have worked in other states and I did not experience such a thing. “I also worked as a journalist before proceeding to read law and I know the rules of the profession do not permit one to report falsehood.