Emperor Jarret Tenebe, the acting chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has requested that Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbekun arrest and prosecute Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for allegedly forging his voter’s card.
In a letter dated July 3rd, Tenebe stated that he was petitioning as a voter and a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, asserting that his interests would compromised if an unqualified person were allowed to participate or be elected.
He claimed that Ighodalo had allegedly presented forged documents to INEC and the general public.
According to the Petition: “That the said Asuerinme Ighodalo has also presented same documents with a view of misleading the general public to rely on same to be true in claiming his party ticket based on a fraudulent and crooked foundation.”
”That the said Asuerinme Ighodalo presented a voter’s card with VIN no. 90FS 4629 6818 630 purported to have been issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INE ) having been registered at Unit 3 Idiror-Idiror Primary School in Ewohinmi Ward 1 in Esan SouthEsat Local Government Area of Edo State, whereas he claimed to have transferred same from Lagos to Edo and such a card or registration is not found in any of the INEC Register (CTC copy attached herewith).”
“That a certificate true copy of the voter register obtained from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed that the said Asuerinme Ighodalo is not a registered voter in Unit 3 of Ward 1 in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State as claimed (also attached herewith).”
The acting state APC chairman expressed his belief that the voter card presented by Ighodalo was forged.
In response, Rev. Olu Martins, Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, stated: “The case is subjudice because one of the aspirants, Anselm Ojezua, is in court on the same issue.”
”The APC acting chairman is interested in headlines. It is only INEC that can say that its document has been forged because it has the power to prosecute. People should not take him seriously.”
”The same Tenebe a few months ago accused his now-newfound friend, the impeached former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, of stealing his wristwatch.”
“What he is doing is to divert people from focusing on their incapable and incompetent governorship candidate.”