Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Edo State, has been thrust into controversy after submitting falsified birth records to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The discrepancy emerged when Mr. Okpebholo’s Form EC-9 (affidavit of personal particulars) presented to INEC as part of his candidacy for the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election was found to contain conflicting dates of birth.
On March 24, 2024, he declared under oath that his birthdate was August 29, 1970, supported by a statutory declaration of age affidavit from his brother, Ojeifo Joseph Okpebholo.
However, his West African School Certificate (WASC) result from 2008, also submitted to INEC, listed his birthdate as August 29, 1972, directly contradicting his sworn statement. Further complicating matters, Mr. Okpebholo’s voter registration profile on the INEC portal displayed a third birthdate: August 1, 1977.
The revelations have serious legal implications. Section 29 (6) of the Electoral Act 2022 states that providing false information in an affidavit to INEC can disqualify a candidate and their party from an election. If discovered post-election, the candidate with the second-highest votes may be declared the winner.
Within the APC, concerns are mounting. Prominent figures, including former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and APC deputy gubernatorial candidate Dennis Idahosa, are urging Mr. Okpebholo to withdraw, allowing the party to field a new candidate before the September poll.
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party has declared Mr. Okpebholo ineligible due to the falsification, a practice not uncommon among Nigerian politicians.
An INEC official from Edo State hinted that the August 1, 1977, date could be Mr. Okpebholo’s actual birthdate, suggesting the alignment of this date with a Monday—possibly linked to his first name—as the rationale.
Nonetheless, the official emphasized INEC’s commitment to neutrality, advising aggrieved parties to seek judicial recourse.