Obaseki warns of crisis, accuses APC of police collusion ahead of Edo election

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has raised concerns over a potential crisis in the upcoming governorship election, accusing elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) of colluding with the Nigeria Police Force to target and intimidate members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor highlighted that in recent weeks, the police, allegedly under APC influence, have arrested at least 10 PDP chieftains, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Collins Aigbogun, who was taken to Abuja.

Governor Obaseki expressed frustration that his efforts to ensure due process and maintain jurisdiction over these cases in Edo State were undermined, challenging his authority as the state’s Chief Security Officer.

He added that: “On learning of his arrest, I reached out to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, asking that due process be followed and that the matter be handled within the State’s jurisdiction. This directive was flouted, directly undermining my authority as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State.

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“We also have it on good authority that a rogue police team has been provided with a longlist of PDP chieftains to be arrested and detained until after the election.

“All petitions and appeals to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have not dissuaded men of the Police from going about with the mandate of intimidating members of the PDP and launching sting operations to capture, kidnap and lock up PDP chieftains across the State.

He also revealed that a rogue police team has been tasked with arresting more PDP leaders, aiming to detain them until after the election.

Obaseki demanded the immediate release of all detained PDP leaders and urged that any legal proceedings be handled within Edo State, emphasizing the need for fairness.

He criticized the APC’s alleged tactics, warning that such actions could destabilize the state and lead to widespread chaos.

The governor called on the Presidency to intervene and urged the international community, including diplomatic missions and international organizations, to take note of the situation and hold those responsible for any resulting turmoil accountable.

Obaseki emphasized that Edo people would resist any form of intimidation and defend their right to a free and fair election.

According to him, “It is with a deep sense of concern that I make this statement in the run up to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State scheduled for September 21, 2024.

“In the last few years, we have worked tirelessly to provide stability and engender reforms to spur economic development in Edo State. We have improved the security situation in the State and have, through coordinated efforts by the Edo State Security Council, ensured that the State is arguably the most peaceful State in the South-South, resulting in increased inflow of investment.

“We have deployed technology in checking insecurity, collaborating with community-based security networks, working in close partnership with federal security agencies and leveraging a Security Management Information System through which we track and respond swiftly to security incidents in the State. In the last few years, we have recorded lower levels of violent crimes. Our people are therefore happy and committed to sustaining peace to drive the economic progress made so far.

“It is against this backdrop that Edo people seek a peaceful election and seamless transition of government that would not disrupt the tranquillity and stability in the State.

“Unfortunately, what we can see in the build up to the September 21 election, is what looks like a deliberate plan by elements within the ranks of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent a peaceful election and stoke chaos in Edo State.