Warning to Edo State Police Command: Steer Clear of Partisanship Ahead of Governorship Election

In the run-up to the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, a group called the Edo Movement for the Masses has issued a stern warning to the police command to avoid partisanship and remain neutral. The group, led by Eriki Johnson, urged the police to allow politicians to carry out their campaigns freely without harassment or arrest, especially targeting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politicians for flimsy reasons.

The warning comes just 10 days before the election, which has been marred by allegations of political intimidation and violence. The group expressed concern that the police’s actions so far have shown bias towards the All Progressives Congress (APC), allowing "clear hoodlum activities" perpetrated by its supporters to go unpunished, while harassing and arresting PDP campaigners.

According to the group, the police’s partisan behavior has heightened tension in the state and undermined their neutrality. "Police is for the masses irrespective of political affiliations," the statement emphasized.

The allegations of police partisanship have been corroborated by the Edo State Government, which reported that 10 PDP members, including a local government chairman and operatives of the State Vigilante Network, were arrested and whisked away to Abuja by the Nigeria Police on Tuesday.

The development has sparked concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election and the need for the police to uphold their responsibility to maintain law and order without bias. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether the police will heed the warning and remain neutral, or continue to allow political intimidation and violence to mar the democratic process.