Monday Okpebholo, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC) in the Edo Governorship election was summoned by a Magistrate Court.

He was summoned in Abuja over allegations of forgery and perjury after discrepancies were noticed in the date of birth he provided to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit was filed by Honesty Aginbatse, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday, September 12.

According to Aginbatse, the birth date on Okpebholo's Senate nomination forms in 2023 was March 29, 1970, while the governorship nomination forms submitted to INEC listed his date of birth as August 29, 1970, in an age declaration form.

Additionally, Aginbatse alleged that Okpebholo’s birth date was recorded as August 29, 1972, on his West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate, while his INEC voter card listed his official date of birth as August 1, 1977.

These discrepancies, Aginbatse argued, violate the provisions of Section 182.1 (d) of the Nigerian Constitution, which would disqualify an individual from contesting a gubernatorial position if convicted of such offenses.

The magistrate, Abubakar Mukhtar, adjourned the matter to September 20 for Okpebholo's appearance.