SENATOR Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, is facing fresh allegations of age falsification.
Documents submitted to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have shown discrepancies in the date of birth of the lawmaker, who is seeking to be the number one citizen of Edo State.
While the date of birth stated on Okpebholo’s 2023 INEC Senate nomination form was 29 March 1970, the birth date provided in his 2024 INEC governorship nomination affidavit differs.
In the 2024 governorship form, Okpebholo listed three different dates of birth: August 29, 1970, in an age declaration document, 29 August 1972 on his West African Examination Council (WAEC) result, and 1 August 1977 on his INEC voter card.
The multiplicity of dates of birth provided in his INEC forms has raised questions about the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s candidacy.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported on 10 July 2024 that Senator Okpebholo appeared not to have registered to vote in Edo State.
Checks carried on the INEC website revealed the shocking development, despite the politician submitting a voter card purportedly obtained from Esan West Local Government Area.
Okpebholo, who was inaugurated into Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly on 13 June 2023, as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, was declared the winner of the APC governorship primary election on 23 February 2024.
According to the details submitted by Senator Okpebholo in his Form EC9 affidavit, which was sworn to on 5 March 2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja and subsequently published by INEC, his full name is Monday Okpebholo, and he was born on 29 August 1970 in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.
Following the report published by SaharaReporters, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called for a criminal investigation by the police into the allegations of forgery in his 2024 governorship Form.
However, a senior INEC official, who spoke with SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, expressed shock at the multiplicity of dates provided by the APC candidate.
The official, however, reiterated the Commission’s position of neutrality, stating that the discrepancies and submission of false certificates and statements could hypothetically disqualify a candidate if the matter is brought before a court, either pre-election or post-election.
“There is no role for INEC in this matter,” the official said. “The window for aspirants has closed, but any candidate is free to approach a High Court after the elections.”
The latest revelations may jeopardize the chances of the APC candidate, as the political drama surrounding the Edo State governorship race has further intensified.
Meanwhile, efforts made by SaharaReporters to get Senator Okpebholo’s reaction were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as he did not answer his calls. He also did not reply to a message sent to his mobile line.
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Source: SaharaReporters
Eighteen-Eleven Media