IGP Told To Prosecute Ighodalo Over Alleged Voters Card Forgery

The acting State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest and prosecute the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, for allegedly forging his voter’s card.

NATURENEX learnt that in the letter dated July 3rd and obtained by Vanguard on Friday, Tenebe said that Ighodalo allegedly presented forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the general public.

Tenebe also claimed that the voter’s card being paraded by Ighodalo was forged and demanded a possible arrest and investigation.

According to the APC chieftain, he was petitioning as a voter and a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “whose interest would be affected if a non-qualified person is allowed to participate/elected.”

He said, “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 fraudulent and crooked foundation.

“That the said Asuerinme Ighodalo presented a Voters Card with VIN no 90FS B195 4629 6818 630 purported to have been issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having been registered at Unit 3 Idiror-Idirior Primary School in Ewohinmi Ward 1 in Esan SouthEast Local Government Area of Edo State whereas he claimed to have transfered same from Lagos to Edo and such card or registration is not found in any of the INEC Register.(CTC copy attached herewith).

“That a certified true copy of the Voters 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)”

Reacting, the Deputy Director of Media and Publicity of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, Olu Martins, said Tenebe was seeking free publicity.

He noted that only INEC can say that Ighodalo’s document was forged.

He said, “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 the 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 few months ago accused his now new found 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.”