The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused governor Godwin Obaseki of ordering the deployment of over 50 police officers to Okpella community to intimidate people.
A statement on Wednesday signed by John Mayaki, Chairman of State APC Media Campaign Council, alleged that the Police were occupying the private residence of a political appointee of the Governor.
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He said this strange development had caused apprehension in the town, adding that residents were expressing worry over planned violent intimidation ahead of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
“The Police officers were reportedly deployed on the orders of the Governor Godwin Obaseki and have set camp in the building of one Lukman Akemokue, a political aide and ally of the Deputy Governor, who relocated his mother from the building to make room for the officers,” he said.
He said the dispatch of the Police officers had been interpreted as a desperate tactic by the Governor and his allies to scare away voters during election
“APC will do a formal petition to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Kokumo, and the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Muhammed, to probe the dispatch of the officers to Okpella and why they are occupying the private residence of the governor’s aide,” Mayaki said.
On his part, governor Obaseki, through his spokesperson, Crusoe Osagie, said the increased police presence noticed in Okpella, Agenebode, Akoko Edo and other parts of the state was not out of the norm.
“With just a month to the gubernatorial poll in Edo State, security agencies are stepping up their activities across the state.
“This should not be misconstrued by anyone,” he said.
Crusoe, in a statement, said; “the claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) is strange because anyone who means well for Edo people should commend the police for doing their job.
“The APC should not fret if they have no sinister plans.”
He urged Edo people to cooperate with men of security agencies and assist with information where necessary so that the forthcoming election will be peaceful, free and fair.
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