The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) observed on Thursday that the recent revelation regarding the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Monday Okpebholo, allegedly presenting falsified and conflicting birth records to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) further confirms the APC’s duplicitous agenda toward the people of the state.
A statement released by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, said that the reported presentation of falsified birth documents, following an earlier revelation of the submission of an alleged forged INEC voter card by the APC governorship candidate, underscores the reprehensible and deep-seated inclination of the APC to cheat.
The statement added: “Such alleged criminal tendencies, if allowed in governance, will destroy ethical standards, entrench mediocrity, and institutionalize fraud and deception as official policies of the state, to the detriment of the development and wellbeing of the people of Edo State.
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“It is, however, not surprising that the APC nominated and sponsored a governorship candidate with questionable credentials, as this is consistent with the APC’s established inclination towards lies, falsehood, and deception.
“This apparent inclination explains why the APC has not issued a denial or any explanation regarding the news of the submission of forged INEC voter cards 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 essentially disqualified and unelectable.
“It is practically the end of the road for the APC, being stuck with a disqualified candidate. The implications 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 are that any vote cast for the APC in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election would be void.
“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 called 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 to strengthen the credibility of our nation’s democratic practices and the principle of the rule of law in our country,” it declared.
The PDP commended the people of Edo State for “their alertness as well as their unwavering solidarity and support for the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who embodies the vision, aspirations, 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.”
