The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Police to immediately invite and question the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Monday Okpebholo, over alleged presentation of falsified and conflicting birth records to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologungaba, claimed that the latest revelation on Okpebholo comes on the heels of an earlier allegation of submitting a forged INEC voter card.
Ologungaba said such alleged criminal tendencies if allowed in governance will destroy ethical standards, entrench mediocrity, institutionalise fraud and deception as official policies of state to the detriment of the development and wellbeing of the people of Edo State.
The PDP spokesman however said it not surprising that the APC nominated and sponsored a governorship candidate with questionable credentials as such is consistent with the APC’s established inclination and acceptance of lies, falsehood and deception.
“This apparently informs why the APC has not issued a denial or any explanation since the news of the submission of forged INEC voter card and falsified birth documents by its candidate to INEC.
“Instead, the APC is reportedly trying to manipulate INEC to compromise its data, having realized that its candidate, Monday Okpebholo is basically disqualified and unelectable.
“It is practically the end of the road for the APC being stuck with a disqualified candidate; the import of Section 182 (1)(j) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 114 (g) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act being that any vote cast for APC in the September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election would be a void vote.
“APC’s choice of Monday Okpebholo as its Governorship candidate is a self-inflicted injury with irredeemable consequences which the APC must accept by immediately withdrawing from the race.
“The PDP calls on the Police to immediately invite the APC candidate for questioning and investigation over the alleged submission of fake documents to INEC especially given the widespread demand by the people of Edo State for the prosecution of the APC candidate.
“Such police action will be a welcome development so as to strengthen the credibility of our nation’s democratic practice and the Principle of Rule of Law in our country.
“Our Party commends the people of Edo State for their alertness as well as unalloyed solidarity and support for the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo who embodies the vision, aspiration and Will of the people in their determination to sustain and strengthen good governance and development in Edo State on the platform of the PDP,” the party said.
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