Disqualify Obaseki, he’s an occultist, graduate claim false, PDP tells court

Four days to the Edo governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked a court to disqualify Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) candidate.

The party alleged that Obaseki’s claim on his oath to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of graduating from the University of Ibadan (UI), with a B.A in Classical Studies in 1976 was false and that he failed to disclose his membership of a secret society.

The state Chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Benin City, advising Edo voters not to waste their votes for the APC, a party that has no candidate for the election.

APC governorship candidate, Obaseki and INEC were joined in the suit No. FHC/B/CO/120/16 dated September 1 and filed by Joseph Aghimien, on behalf of the PDP and its legal adviser, Edoba Omoregie.

PDP is asking the Federal High Court in Benin for a proclamation that Mr Obaseki’s statement that he graduated from the University of Ibadan with a B.A in Classical Studies in 1976 was false.

According to Orbih, Obaseki made the statement under oath in INEC form CF001, Part B, paragraph C dated July 11.

He said, “In addition the party is asking for a declaration disqualifying Obaseki from contesting the Edo state governorship election scheduled for September 10, 2016 on grounds that he submitted false information on oath to the INEC on Form CF001 (and) therefore lied under other.

Read also: Fayose to INEC, APC: Edo election must be free, fair and conclusive

“Obaseki’s non-disclosure of his membership of a secret society disqualified him from contesting for the office of governor of Edo State.

“In all, Obaseki has failed to fulfill the requirements of the Constitution which in Section 182 (I) h) specifies the qualifications a person must have to contest the governorship of a state.”

However, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Edo State, Godwin Erhahon, in his reaction said that the PDP having filed a case in court should wait for court verdict and not to pass judgement that Obaseki will be disqualified.

He added that the opposition party’s action is prejudicial and amounts to contempt of the court.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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