The Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Charity Iguodala Aiguobarueghian, has criticised the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, for making what he described as baseless claims regarding the disqualification of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo.
Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, had asserted in an interview with Arise News that Ighodalo was not “electable” and that a court had affirmed this without providing any evidence, despite repeated requests from the interviewers for clarification.
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Honourable Aiguobarueghian, who represents Ovia North East 1 Constituency and is a lawyer and PhD candidate at the University of Benin’s Faculty of Law, accused Oshiomhole of spreading falsehoods.
In an online interview, the Majority Leader expressed disappointment in the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly misleading the public on a national platform. He remarked that Oshiomhole, at 72 years of age, should refrain from making unsubstantiated statements, especially on serious matters such as electoral law.
Aiguobarueghian pointed out that the substance of the matter is that Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had filed a suit against Ighodalo, claiming that he had forged his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and should therefore be disqualified from the forthcoming governorship race.
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According to Aiguobarueghian, the law is clear that pre-election matters must be addressed within 180 days and such cases are typically adjudicated based on affidavits, not witness testimonies, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.
He explained that Shaibu’s case, which was filed before Justice Omotosho at the Federal High Court, is a criminal matter and by law requires the calling of witnesses for proof, which the Electoral Act does not permit in pre-election cases. This, according to Aiguobarueghian, has led to complications in the case, with the PDP’s legal team appealing a ruling that allowed witness testimonies, arguing that it contradicts the Electoral Act.
In his rebuke of Oshiomhole, Aiguobarueghian said: “I have watched with utmost disappointment and with a lot of reservation about the way some persons I used to respect have condescended so low in the desperation to win an election by lying about something that you cannot lie about.”
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He further criticised Oshiomhole’s appearance on national television, accusing him of ignorance and stating that such behaviour is unbecoming of an elder statesman.
This is not the first time Oshiomhole has come under fire for his comments on Ighodalo. In the interview with Arise News on 7 August, Oshiomhole had accused the PDP candidate of being out of touch with the people of Edo State, describing him as a “double-breasted consultant” who was unable to connect with the local populace, and claiming that Ighodalo’s candidacy was marked by constitutional violations and fraud.
Oshiomhole’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with many, most notably Dele Momodu, accusing him of attempting to discredit Ighodalo without providing solid evidence.
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The ongoing legal battle and the heated rhetoric highlight the intense nature of the political contest in Edo State as the 21 September governorship election approaches.
Aiguobarueghian concluded his remarks by urging all parties to respect the legal process and to refrain from making inflammatory statements that could mislead the public or exacerbate tensions in the state.
The legal outcome of the case remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the stakes are high, and the political atmosphere in Edo State is becoming increasingly charged as the election day nears.
