Abuja, Nigeria—As the Edo State gubernatorial election approaches, mounting legal troubles have cast a shadow over the candidacy of Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominee. In a development that has ignited debate over electoral integrity, Okpebholo has been summoned to appear before a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja on allegations of falsifying his date of birth on official documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The summons, issued by Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar, requires Okpebholo to be present at the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court on Friday, September 20, 2024, just a day before the election. At the heart of the case are claims of conflicting birth dates. While Okpebholo stated in one document that he was born on August 29, 1970, another submission reportedly lists his birthdate as August 29, 1972—a discrepancy that has fueled accusations of perjury.
The suit was brought forward by Honesty Aginbatse, a resident of Edo State, who alleges that the APC candidate misrepresented his age on official electoral forms. According to court filings, the defendant submitted his personal particulars to INEC on March 24, 2024, with documents affirming the 1970 birthdate. However, a West African Senior School Certificate provided by Okpebholo lists 1972 as his year of birth, further complicating the matter.
“This is a serious concern,” said Aginbatse in his formal complaint. “The statutory declaration of age, which in law stands in place of a birth certificate, clearly states 1970 as the defendant’s birth year, and any other assertion is false.”
The legal battle raises broader questions about the potential impact on the impending election. While Okpebholo has yet to issue a public statement, political analysts suggest that the outcome of the case could have significant ramifications for the APC campaign.
With election day drawing nearer, it remains to be seen whether the court proceedings will influence voter sentiment. However, Edo State voters, already on edge over rising political tensions, now face a contentious lead-up to the gubernatorial race, as questions over integrity and transparency swirl around one of the leading candidates.
As the story develops, all eyes will be on the court hearing on September 20, which could mark a turning point not only in Okpebholo’s candidacy but also in the broader discussion on electoral accountability in Nigeria.
