With the gubernatorial elections in Edo State set for September 21, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly accused the Nigerian Police Force of bias intended to sway the electoral results in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a press conference in Benin City, Matthew Iduoriye-kemwen, the Director-General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, expressed grave concerns regarding what he described as a troubling trend of harassment and unlawful intimidation directed at PDP leaders.
Iduoriye-kemwen stated that the situation has escalated to the point where it is crucial to expose the ongoing pattern of harassment and illegal detentions perpetrated by police officers allegedly affiliated with the Abuja-based Intelligence Response Team (IRT). He claims these officers have been financially incentivized by the APC to engage in these actions.
He asserted that these officers, reportedly led by CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, have employed military-grade weaponry, including AK-47s, while traversing the state in Hummer buses and Hilux vehicles to intimidate and abduct key PDP figures.
“There are reports that these officers are dispatched by DC Sanusi Muhammad from the IRT at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. Another officer, DC Patrick Ejedawe from Uromi, is allegedly collaborating with these unauthorized personnel to carry out these troubling acts,” he said.
Iduoriye-kemwen claimed that since the commencement of these operations, several PDP members have been detained, including Amos Tom and Hon. Kingsley Osahon, with many others still missing. He alleged that a list of prominent PDP members has been compiled, complete with fabricated arrest warrants aimed at undermining the party ahead of the elections.
Notable figures on this list reportedly include Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, and Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, among others.
He lamented that while the PDP is actively campaigning and promoting their policies, the APC resorts to using state resources to intimidate opponents, driven by their awareness of their candidate’s unpopularity and inability to win a fair election. Iduoriye-kemwen accused the APC of exploiting federal authority to suppress opposition.
He urged police officers to remember their duty to the public, funded by taxpayers, and to resist being manipulated for the benefit of the APC. “The Nigeria Police Force is meant to serve all citizens, not merely a select few in power,” he asserted.
At a recent rally, former Deputy Governor Hon. Philip Shuaibu reportedly made threats against the PDP, boasting of his influence and implying even more aggressive actions were forthcoming. This, according to Iduoriye-kemwen, validates their concerns about the APC’s tactics, which he claims are orchestrated from Abuja.
He concluded by stating that the era of winning elections through intimidation is over and reiterated that the people of Edo will firmly oppose any harassment from any quarter, regardless of the individuals involved.
The PDP emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force should not be a player in the upcoming elections and called on law enforcement to uphold their constitutional responsibilities to maintain peace and order as the election approaches.
