The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the police to immediately invite the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September Edo governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for questioning over the alleged submission of fake documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, noted that the Senator Okpebholo was accused of presenting falsified and conflicting birth documents and forged voter’s card to INEC.

Such alleged criminal tendencies, PDP stated, “if allowed in governance would 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 party said the APC’s choice of Senator Okpebholo as its governorship candidate is a self-inflicted injury with irredeemable consequences, and asked APC to immediately withdraw from the governorship race.

PDP argued that the import of Section 182 (1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 114 (g) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act is that any vote cast for APC in the September 21 Edo State governorship election would be a void vote.

“It is practically the end of the road for the APC being stuck with a disqualified candidate,” the party said.

It added that police investigation into the alleged forgeries would strengthen the credibility of the nation’s democratic practice and the principle of rule of law in the country.

The party commended the people of Edo State for their alertness and support for the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, whom it stated, “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.” (New Telegraph)

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