Nigeria’s Police Accused of Illegal Arrests Ahead of Governorship Election
In a shocking turn of events, Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, has raised the alarm over alleged illegal arrests of party members by personnel of the Nigeria Police.
According to Media Talk Africa, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director-General of Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, made the claim at a press conference in Benin City on Sunday. Iduoriyekemwen alleged that some members of the party have been arrested while others are on the wanted list.
The accused include Mr. Amos Tom and Kingsley Osahon, a Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area. Iduoriyekemwen also claimed that the whereabouts of several other PDP members are currently unknown.
Worse still, Iduoriyekemwen alleged that the police have compiled a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the state’s three senatorial districts and obtained fake court warrants to arrest them. The aim, he claimed, is to weaken the PDP ahead of the election.
“It is rather unfortunate that while the PDP is diligently working, moving from ward to ward and local government to local government actively campaigning across various platforms, articulating their programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State, the opposition parties are attempting to weaponize the police against the people,” Iduoriyekemwen said.
He warned that the resort to harassment and intimidation is a recipe for anarchy and called on the Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 5, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, and other security agencies to step in and stop the harassment and intimidation of party members.
Iduoriyekemwen also urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), other stakeholders, and the international community to take note of the alleged disturbing pattern of harassment and intimidation of party members by the police in the build-up to the election.
“We will continue to market our candidates to the Edo people and resist every form of harassment and intimidation by any institution or agency of government,” he added.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, asked to send a text message, saying he couldn’t talk at the moment. However, he has yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
The allegations have raised concerns about the police’s role in the upcoming election and the potential for political unrest in Edo State.
