Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of influencing the police to arrest members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki, in a statement he personally signed, alleged that the APC orchestrated the arrests to undermine PDP’s prospects in the September 11 governorship election in the state.
The governor claimed that over the past few weeks, the police, allegedly under APC’s influence, had detained at least 10 PDP leaders who were seen as significant opposition figures.
He added that the situation escalated with the arrest of Hon. Collins Aigbogun, the Chairman of Esan West LGA, who was reportedly transported to Abuja.
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Obaseki said upon learning of Aigbogun’s arrest, he contacted the Edo State Commissioner of Police, urging that the matter be handled locally and with due process but that the police boss ignored him, which he claimed undermined his authority as the chief security officer of the state.
He further alleged that a ‘rogue’ police team had been given a list of PDP members to arrest and detain until after the elections.
Obaseki expressed frustration that his appeals to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had not stopped the alleged intimidation efforts.
He warned that the situation could disrupt the peace and stability in Edo State, accusing the APC of deliberately undermining the electoral process.
He demanded the immediate release of PDP members who he claimed were arrested and held in undisclosed locations, insisting that if the arrests were legitimate, the individuals should be charged in Benin City rather than detained indefinitely.
The governor also criticised the APC for allegedly sponsoring violent disturbances, citing an incident on July 18, 2024, where APC-sponsored thugs reportedly created chaos on Airport Road, Benin City.
He accused the police of failing to arrest the perpetrators while targeting PDP members who were not involved in the disturbance.
Reacting, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, refuted Obaseki’s claims, stating that the police were not targeting any political party but arresting individuals based on criminal activities.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Benin yesterday, Egbetokun emphasised that the police’s role is to uphold the law impartially, regardless of political affiliations.
Egbetokun also disclosed that arrests had been made in connection with the killing of Inspector Akor Onu, the orderly to APC candidate Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and assured that those responsible would be prosecuted.
The director of media of the APC campaign council, Orobasa Omo-Ojo, promised to revert to the party’s position but had not as of the time of filing this report.
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