The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming Edo State Governorship election, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, of submitting a fake voter card in his form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, released a statement in Abuja on Friday, highlighting the alleged presentation of a fake voter card by the APC candidate.
Ologunagba emphasized that this revelation severely undermines the credibility of the APC and its candidate in the 2024 Edo State Governorship election.
The PDP spokesperson condemned the APC for fielding a candidate with purportedly questionable documents and emphasized the impact of this action on the democratic process.
He cited specific constitutional and electoral provisions to support the PDP’s position, asserting that the APC’s campaign in Edo State is futile and any vote cast for the party would be invalid.
The statement reads: “The alarming discovery that the APC candidate allegedly presented a fake voter card in his Form EC9 submitted to INEC is a self-inflicted blow, which clearly and irredeemably signals the end of the road for the APC and its candidate in the 2024 Edo State Governorship election.
“It is indeed scandalous that the APC sponsored a candidate with alleged questionable documents as a governorship candidate for Edo State who is noted for being very credible and highly respectable citizens.
“Moreover, it is now apparent as to why the APC submitted to INEC a blurred and unreadable voter card purporting same to be that of its candidate and had remained silent since the news broke out that the said voter card is allegedly forged.
“This act of impunity by the APC amounts to an assault on the sensibility of the generality of the people of Edo State and our nation’s democratic practice.
“Without remedy, the APC and its candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, are not eligible to contest the September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship election by the express provisions 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.
“The clear implication is that the APC campaign in Edo State is a journey to nowhere, as any vote cast for the APC in the September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship election would be a void vote and effort in futility
