John Alechenu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Edo State Governorship election, Sen. Monday Okpehbolo and his party, are running away from public scrutiny because they have nothing to offer.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon.  Debo Ologunagba, leveled the allegation at a media briefing in Abuja, on Sunday.

According to him, because the APC had no manifesto to sell to the people, it has resorted to desperate measures such as: avoiding media scrutiny as well as spreading falsehoods.

He said, while the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, is on the campaign trail selling himself and the party’s manifesto, his opponent was dodging town hall meetings and media appearances.

Ologunagba said, “The APC candidate Monday Okpehbolo, is not campaigning or engaging the people having realized that he is no match to Asue Ighodalo as he lacks capacity, competence and has nothing to offer to the people of Edo State.

“No wonder the APC candidate has been avoiding the media and town hall engagements with the people of Edo State.

“He is afraid to be confronted with the issues of lack of capacity and allegations of forgery of voter card and birth documents, which he has failed to respond to.

“We challenge the APC candidate to make himself available to media interview and scrutiny. If Monday Okpebholo is indeed putting himself for public office, he should make himself available for public scrutiny.

“We understand the APC candidate has been invited to appear on a particular national TV tomorrow, Monday and it is incumbent on him to honour that invitation.

“Monday Okpebholo should stop running from the media if he has anything to offer to the good people of Edo State.

“PDP insists that Okpebholo should make himself available for a public debate.

“As you are aware we are now on the home run for the September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship Election. Our Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is coasting to victory as he is enjoying the support and solidarity of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State including across all party divides.”

The PDP Spokesman also said former APC National Chairman, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, took APC’s desperation to another level when he referenced  non-existent Appeal Court judgement disqualifying Dr. Asue Ighodalo from the contest.

He said, “Having realized that they have no prospect in the election, APC leaders like Adams Oshiomhole are now engaged in peddling lies and falsely claiming that the PDP candidate has been disqualified.

“It was a pitiable sight to watch Comrade Oshiomhole stammering on National TV when the anchors confronted him with the fact that the Court upheld the nomination of Asue Ighodalo.

“When the asked to provide the judgment he referred to he looked confused and stated that he did not have it.

“We state categorically that the Court of Appeal did not disqualify our candidate. Rather, the Court of Appeal upheld the Primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as candidate and awarded cost against the appellants.”