Edo Election: APC Speaks On Alleged Disqualification Of Its Candidate, Monday Okpebholo Hours Before Election

[Oladipo Abiola]

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has debunked reports about the alleged disqualification of its candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, by a Magistrate Court.​

A report had emerged claiming Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar of the Abuja Magistrate Court has disqualified Okpebholo over a case of age falsification and forgery.

However, the APC, in a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Felix Morka, said the purported court judgement is fake and is the handwork of certain political parties desperate to spread disinformation ahead of the polls.

The statement stressed that Okpebholo remains firmly in the race and urged Edo people to go all out and vote on Saturday (tomorrow) without fear or intimidation.

The party also attached a disclaimer from the Magistrate Judge, who noted that the matter is still pending in court.

The APC statement titled ‘FAKE NEWS ALERT – SOME PARTIES CIRCULATING FAKE MAGISTRATE COURT RULING AGAINST APC EDO GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, SENATOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO – PLEASE DISREGARD’ reads: “In the final hours to the Edo State Gubernatorial Election scheduled to be held tomorrow Saturday, September 21, 2024, certain political parties have desperately resorted to forgery, disinformation and blackmail by circulating a FAKE Magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the election.

“The circulated RULING IS FAKE, a FABRICATION and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls. The Magistrate Court that purportedly issued the FAKE RULING has issued a disclaimer stating categorically that the FAKE RULING did not emanate from that court.

“The FAKE NEWS meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate is a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate and must be thoroughly rejected by the good and discerning people of Edo State.

“This illegal and underhand tactic of the parties involved constitutes a despicable attack on our electoral democracy. We call on our law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice.

“We urge voters in Edo State to remain vigilant and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights at tomorrow’s polls. We trust that the Edo people will reject this and other illegal devices by desperate candidates and their parties to subvert this important election.

“Senator Monday Okpebholo is, and remains, the standard bearer of the APC in tomorrow’s Edo State Gubernatorial Election.”

The disclaimer from the court is also detailed below:

IN THE MAGISTRATE COURT OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

CORAM: HIS WORSHIP ABUBAKAR MUKHTAR

_DISCLAIMER NOTICE_

CASE NO.: CR/WZ2/816/2024

“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the general public be informed that the story circulating regarding the purported disqualification of Senator Monday Okpebholo from the Edo State Governorship Election due to age falsification and forgery is entirely FALSE and MISLEADING.

“NO JUDGMENT has been delivered in this Court today, and no verdict has been reached in the above-mentioned case.

“The allegations of age falsification and forgery against Okpebholo are currently under investigation, and the defendant was summoned to appear before this Court. The matter remains pending.

“Pursuant to Section 133 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, spreading false information is punishable by imprisonment. This will be invoke on the writer and publisher of the fake judgement.”

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