PDP drags Oshiomhole to court over governorship election

Gen. Charles Airhiavbere

The flagbearer of the peoples democratic party (PDP) in the last governorship election in Edo State, Major General Charles Airhiavbere has filed an application before the Election Tribunal sitting in Benin City, challenging what he described as the purported victory of the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate,Comrade Adams Oshiomohole.

Adams Oshiohmole the incumbent governor of the state  was declared winner of the 14 July 2012 election and he was given a certificate of return by the state Independent electoral commission.Also joined in the suit are the state independent electroral commission,the Action Congress of Nigeria-the political party under which Oshiomhole contested.The resident electoral commissioner in the state and the governorship returning officer were also included as defendants in the suit.

Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan and others congratulated Oshiomhole after he was declared winner.

However, Airhiavbere, a retired military general and others within the Edo State PDP fold led by Chief Anthony Anenih said they are heading to court to seek justice over what they alleged to be a fraudulent election excercise.

Click here to read Oshiomhole  renames Anenih street to honour Oyerinde his slained principal secretary

Oshiomhole

Gistmaster News gathered that Airhiavbere filed the application on Thursday August 2.Edo PDP says the conduct of the election violates the provisons of the  Electoral Act 2012 . Apart from allegation that there was widespread intimidation and harrassment of PDP members and officials durning the election, Airhiavbere also says Oshimohmole was not qualified  in the first place to contest election because he does not have the academic qualifications he claimed in his CV.

Click here to read How Adams Oshiomole was declared winner of the election

-By Folake Alu