PDP and APC Exchange Accusations Over Alleged Police Harassment and Unlawful Arrests in Edo
The Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council accused the police of harassment, unlawful arrests, and kidnappings targeting chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State to undermine the party ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
At a press conference in Benin City, Campaign Council Director General Matthew Iduoriyekemwen claimed that officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, allegedly paid by the All Progressives Congress (APC), are behind these actions.
Iduoriyekemwen stated, “These officers, led by CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, have operated outside their authority, carrying AK-47 rifles and other weapons while using Hummer buses and Hilux vans to harass and abduct our party leaders across the state.”
He further alleged that these officers were deployed by DC Sanusi Muhammad of the IRT at Force Headquarters in Abuja and that another officer from Uromi, known as ‘Citadel,’ is colluding with them in these unlawful activities.
Since the start of these operations, several PDP members, including Mr. Amos Tom and Kingsley Osahon, a councillor from Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area, have been arrested, with many others currently unaccounted for.
“We are aware that they have compiled a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the three senatorial districts and even procured fake court warrants of arrest with names of the PDP members whom they plan to abduct. This is an attempt to weaken the party ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024.”
The PDP has been actively campaigning, articulating its programs and initiatives for the people of Edo State, while the APC has been attempting to weaponize the police against the people. This is because they know they have a defective and unmarketable candidate and cannot win under any circumstances in a free, fair, and credible election. The APC’s only strategy seems to be to use what they term ‘federal might’ to harass and intimidate the opposition parties into submission in their quest to secure electoral victory through subterfuge.
The police officers who are being compromised to do the wishes of the APC must remember that they are funded by taxpayers’ money and must not allow themselves to be used by the APC against the people in pursuit of their selfish political gains. The police are for all Nigerians and not for some powerful members of the ruling party at the federal government level.
It is important to note that the days in which political parties win elections by wanton intimidation are far gone and Edo people are going to stand firm in resistance to any form of harassment and intimidation by any group or persons, no matter how highly placed.
We also want to categorically state that the Nigeria Police Force is not on the ballot for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. It now appears to us that we are now contesting against the APC and the Nigeria Police. It is, therefore, important that they, in the interest of peace and security in the state and country, read the mood of the nation and conduct themselves professionally as we approach the elections and ensure that they maintain law and order, which is their constitutional responsibility.
We believe that this devious resort to harassment and intimidation is a recipe for anarchy and we are, therefore, calling on the Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, the Edo State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to step in and stop these harassments and intimidation. This includes the band of suspected APC police operatives believed to be on illegal duty, to prevent a descent to anarchy in the state.
The PDP as a responsible party and the Campaign Organisation shall continue to abide by the rules of engagement as spelt out in the constitution and the Electoral Act. We will continue to market our candidates to the Edo people as well as resist every form of harassment and intimidation by any institution or agency of government. We call on the civil society organizations (CSOs), other stakeholders and the international community to turn their attention to Edo State and take note of the disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation by the police as allegedly sponsored by the APC in the build-up to the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21, to avoid undermining the wishes of Edo people at the polls.
Reacting to the PDP’s allegation, the APC said the Edo PDP has become a huge embarrassment to itself with its unrelenting media attack on the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the country.
The Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, in a statement, said: “PDP has abandoned campaigns to concentrate on mischievous propaganda to cover up their failure to articulate a campaign strategy, which has become obvious with their dwindling members.”
Nigerians will remember that the APC in Edo State has faced severe violent attacks from the state-sponsored Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and Public Work Volunteers (PUWOV).
These groups were responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Inspector Akor Onuh, the security aide to Senator Monday Okpebholo, at the Benin City Airport exit.
Recently, PDP chieftain Prince Emmanuel Odigie appeared on Arise Television, calling for the Nigerian Army to remove the democratically elected Federal Government.
He also claimed to have attended a meeting where members of the presidency—including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila—discussed plans to rig the upcoming September 21 Governorship Election in Edo State while President Tinubu was reportedly abroad incognito.
These are clear legal violations that warrant a thorough investigation.
Previously, Rev Olu Martins, the Deputy Director General of the Asue Ighodalo Campaign Organisation, publicly urged PDP agents to attack opposition members in a viral video, leading to his criminal trial for inciting violence.
Regrettably, Governor Godwin Obaseki has intensified violence in the state by threatening that Nigeria would “burn” if police arrested those responsible for Inspector Akor’s murder.
We urge the PDP leadership to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in investigating the crimes committed by its members.
Governor Obaseki should disband the Edo State Security Network to demonstrate his party’s commitment to a peaceful election.
