Director of Strategy for the Asue Ighodalo Campaign Organisation, Ose Anenih, has criticized the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, for his recent comment on the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state 2024 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo.
Naija News reported that Oshiomhole had described Ighodalo as unelectable, unable to speak his language and lacks the qualities necessary for the Edo people to elect him as governor.
However, in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Anenih expressed disappointment over Oshiomhole’s remarks, saying they were deceptive.
He highlighted that under the new electoral act, spreading false information about candidates is an offense that could result in imprisonment or fines, confirming that a formal complaint has been filed against Oshiomhole for the violations.
Anenih described the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “a party of liars and propagandists.”
The PDP chieftain countered claims that Asue lacks the experience needed for public office, stressing that the party gubernatorial candidate has an impressive career and his achievements in the private sector underscore his capability and success.
He further challenged the Edo State APC members to provide evidence of their own candidate’s credentials.
He said, “Dr. Asue has the pedigree and international trust to attract financing to Edo State. Simply by being Governor, people will open their pockets.
“I think the APC members, particularly in Edo state is a party of liars and propagandists. Asue set up Banwo and Ighodalo in 1991 and today that is arguably the largest and most successful law firm in Nigeria. So, for anybody to look at Asue Ighodalo and say he hasn’t excelled in the private sector is wrong.
“He has proven over a career of 30 or 40 years that he is able to build wealth and develop people and that is what he wants to do in Edo state. I throw the challenge back to them. Can they show me the track record or pedigree of their candidate? It is not about where you are from.
“I watched Oshiomhole’s interview with a mixture of disappointment and shock. I know the former governor. He is supposed to be an elder statesman. I was really disappointed to see him descending to the arena, that would not be a problem if he decided to discard the garb of statesmanship. I was shocked to see him come on national television to push lies and propaganda.
“The new electoral act, in section 123 b and c says if you come out and push false information that seeks to discredit a candidate, you have committed an offence and you are liable to six months in jail or I think a hundred thousand naira fine and it is something we have filed. I don’t want people to think that they can come on air and speak recklessly and break the law and think there are no consequences. We want to test if Oshiomhole is truly above the law.
“He came talking about Asue being a stranger because he doesn’t speak his language. I don’t speak my language; I am an Edo man and my mother is Igbo. Does that make me any less qualified to run for office? I wished when he started speaking about this ethnic dog whistling, I really wished we had pushed back at him.”
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