Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns about alleged intimidation tactics by Governor Godwin Obaseki and threats of arrest by the state’s Commissioner of Police.
In a petition sent to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Jarrett Tenebe, the APC Chairman in Edo State, claimed that Governor Obaseki is using the state’s security apparatus to intimidate the opposition. He emphasized that such actions will be strongly resisted.
Tenebe reported that the State Commissioner of Police has summoned him, suggesting this as part of a strategy to weaken opposition parties and instill fear ahead of the election.
Read Also: Shehu Sani Advocates for a Government Grounded in Freedom, Justice, and Equity
Tenebe’s petition read: “I am the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Edo State chapter, and have the honor and privilege to bring to your attention the high level of intimidation and harassment being orchestrated by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
While it’s safe under the Freedom of Information Act that anyone who feels dissatisfied with any policy implementation of the government at any level can ask questions about the same, the Edo State Governor does not see the effectiveness of any opposition to his government policies.
To make good his threat of strangulating any opposition, he deploys all forms of security apparatus within the state, both conventional and self-created, to carry out his vindictiveness. He has promised to deal mercilessly with any person who dares him, particularly at this time of our electioneering in the state. Against the backdrop of the aforesaid, he has deployed the office of the Commissioner of Police to cause my arrest just for political reasons.
I have been informed at my party secretariat that, in my absence, police brought an invitation for me to be interviewed by the Commissioner of Police over a petition written against me by the governor. Information at my disposal is that the governor has ordered the police to lay siege at my party secretariat where we are to perform the inauguration of our campaign council tomorrow with a view to arresting me just to score a political point.
I thereby solicit your timely intervention by transferring the said case, if any, to your office for a discreet investigation. I count on your esteemed office in doing justice to this unwarranted harassment.”
Tenebe has urged the IGP, the Senate, and the Police Service Commission to take action and ensure that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State is held accountable to prevent any potential disruption of law and order.
