Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, declined signing the Peace Accord for the September 21 gubernatorial elections in the state, as they accused the police for being responsible for enforcing the accord of partiality.
The national chairman of the party, Illiya Damagum, however, called for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police over alleged bias against the party and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Curiously, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arraigned the detained members of the PDP at a magistrate court in Abuja, after Governor Godwin Obaseki accused the IG of working with the APC.
Damagum, has called on Egbetokun to reinstate the Edo security network, being a product of the Edo State House of Assembly and duly signed into law by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
At an emergency press conference in Abuja, Damagum also called on all international democratic agencies to note the manifest bias of the officials of the Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The IGP must recognise his duty to the Nigerian people, the constitution and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo State and the entire nation.
“The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release of all members of the PDP being detained by the Police. The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment.
“This is not only to guarantee a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avert the ugly scenario witnessed in the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election where a biased Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of agitated electorate,” Damagum stated
In the same vein, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has called on Egbetokun, to ensure the immediate release of the arrested leaders of the PDP in Edo State.
Atiku raised concerns about the timing of the arrest of the PDP leaders, as they occurred just before the Edo State governorship election.
In a statement posted on the X platform, Atiku criticised the police and other security agencies for making such arrests at a critical moment, calling it a serious violation. He argued that using federal resources to target political opponents undermines democracy.
Atiku emphasised that if there was no valid reason for detaining the Edo PDP leaders, they should be released. However, if there were legitimate reasons, they should be taken to court.
“The time has come for our security agencies to be called to account. It is a grievous affront to the ideals of peace and harmony when, on the cusp of an off-season election, these agencies arbitrarily detain local leaders of the @OfficialPDPNig, thus robbing the opposition of the essential tools that would allow it to remain a competitive force,” he wrote.
Atiku urged the IG and other security officials to either release the detained Edo PDP members or present them in court if there were credible charges, warning that democracy was threatened when state resources were used to intimidate political opponents.
The PDP, through its State Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, had insisted, that his members and chieftains, who had been illegally arrested by the Police and whisked to secret holding centres in Abuja be immediately and unconditionally released or charged to a court of competent jurisdiction before it would consider the signing of the accord.
Aziegbemi, in a statement, said it would only be unfair, unconscionable and unreasonable to request a party that is currently under a vicious attack by the opposing Party, utilizing the illegal services of the police to step forward to sign a Peace Accord.
He further demanded an undertaking by the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to operate a level playing field and not allow themselves to be used as a private army by one of the parties in the election.
“The situation has subsequently degenerated into an all-out reign of terror where members of the APC are acting as pointers for effecting the illegal arrest and rendition of the said PDP members without charge.
“This situation threatens to create unpalatable reactions as those who are being threatened may have no option but to resort to self-preservative moves creating the risk of violence, disorder and chaos when we have less than two weeks to a pivotal election.”
According to him, persons arrested or being harassed by the police included Lucky Aidenya, Festus Unuabor, Maxwell, Francis Inegbeneki, Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Saugie Enabulele, Festus Ovienloba and Moha Haruna.
Others were Luke Einojie, Gabriel Omhenra, Emmanuel Oroto, Noel Mathews, Amos Tom Udehagene, OsiImojire, Kingsley Osehon, Kehinde Olotu and many more.
He listed those in police custody for upwards of two weeks to include Noel Mathews, Amos Tom Udehagene, OsiImojire, Kingsley Osehon and Kehinde Olotu and many more
Those who have been declared wanted by the Police were Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Emmanuel Oroto, Moha Haruna, Luke Einojie, Festus Unuabor, Gabriel Omhenra and many more
“In the circumstances, it will be quite clear that nothing would be more unfair, unconscious
