TheCable

Austin Okojie, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) of Akwa Ibom state, has denied the allegation that he was offered a bribe of N5billion to rig the forthcoming general election in favour of a particular party.

Okojie said this in Uyo on Tuesday during a meeting with accredited media professionals who are in the state for the election.

“Five days of my being posted to Akwa Ibom state, a newspaper published a report that I was given N5 billion naira to come and rig the election in favour of some candidates in the forthcoming election,” he said.

“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.

“If I come across N5 billion now, I will collapse and perhaps I will not be here talking to you.”

He advised journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession by reporting accurately without any form of bias.

“This is in view of the fact that the media plays immeasurable roles in the administration/management of elections,” he said.

He said INEC was ready to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in accordance with the electoral laws, adding that over 95 percent of the permanent voter cards (PVC) had been distributed in the state.