The acting chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emperor Jarret Tenebe, has called on Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to arrest and prosecute Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo for allegedly forging his voter’s card.
In a letter dated July 3rd, Tenebe, acting as a concerned voter and law-abiding citizen, claimed that Ighodalo presented fraudulent documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public.
“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,” Tenebe wrote. He further alleged that Ighodalo’s voter’s card, with VIN no. 90FS B195 4629 6818 630, purportedly issued by INEC and registered at Unit 3 Idiror-Idirior Primary School in Ewohinmi Ward 1, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, does not exist in INEC’s register.
Supporting his claims, Tenebe attached a certified true copy of the voter register, asserting that Ighodalo is not a registered voter in the said unit as claimed.
In response, Rev Olu Martins, Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, dismissed the allegations, stating, “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.”
Martins also criticized Tenebe for attempting to divert attention from the APC’s “incapable and incompetent” governorship candidate, citing a previous incident where Tenebe accused the former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, of stealing his wristwatch.
