According to documents made public by Peoples Gazette, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate for governor of Edo State, provided the Independent National Electoral Commission with forged birth certificates.
As a candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election, Mr. Okpebholo provided inconsistent dates of birth on Form EC-9 (affidavit of personal particulars), a sworn declaration of age and academic records. It is mandatory for all candidates running for public office to submit Form EC-9.
Mr. Okpebholo declared under oath that he was born on August 29, 1970, in his submission to INEC dated March 24, 2024. His brother, Ojeifo Joseph Okpebholo, attested to this in a statutory declaration of age affidavit.
In contrast to the 1970 date provided in his INEC filings, Mr. Okpebholo’s date of birth was indicated as August 29, 1972 in his 2008 West African School Certificate (WASC) result, which he submitted to INEC on March 24.
A third contradictory date was revealed in Mr. Okpebholo’s voter registration profile on the INEC portal, which was another fraudulent submission. His birthdate was listed as August 1, 1977.
According to Section 29(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, a candidate and their political party may be disqualified from running for office and from serving as a representative in an election if they provide misleading information in an affidavit filed with INEC. The winner will be the candidate with the second-highest total number of legitimate votes, if the determination is made after the election.
The APC leadership in Abuja is worried about the most recent revelations. Some party members, such as former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and APC deputy governor candidate Dennis Idahosa, are urging Mr. Okpebholo to drop out of the race so the party can nominate a replacement before the September election. In addition, the Peoples Democratic Party ruled Mr. Okpebholo unsuitable to run for office due to the fabrication, which is typical of Nigerian politicians.
Although August 1, 1977, is the only day of the three dates that falls on a Monday, which may be the origin of his first name, an Edo State INEC official said the commission thinks this date to be the real date of birth for Mr. Okpebholo.
The source did point out that INEC is required by law to maintain its impartiality and that parties who have been wronged may seek compensation in court.
A request for remarks from Mr. Okpebholo was not answered. A spokesman for INEC declined to address the issue.
