The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refused to sign the Peace Accord ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, citing a series of alleged intimidations and unlawful detentions orchestrated by the opposing All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP, in a detailed statement, expressed concerns over the fairness of the upcoming election, accusing the APC of using state security agencies to target its members.
In a letter addressed to the peace committee led by Chairman of the party in the State, Anthony Aziegbemi , the PDP highlighted recent troubling incidents, including the July 18th deployment of armed thugs in Benin City by the APC, which led to violence and the death of a police officer.
The PDP stated that its members have been unlawfully arrested, detained without charges, and harassed by rogue police contingents allegedly acting on behalf of the APC.
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The PDP called for the immediate release of its members currently in detention, the redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and the withdrawal of external police forces from the state. The party emphasized that these steps are essential to ensuring a fair and peaceful election.
The PDP expressed its willingness to sign the Peace Accord once these conditions are met, stating its commitment to a free and fair election that reflects the will of the people of Edo State.
“Despite this reality, however, the APC has since procured a Rogue Contingent of Policemen who have been given a lengthy list of PDP members and sympathizers and they have since in gestapo fashion embarked on surreptitious arrest of these members of the PDP, who were subsequently whisked to Abuja (or other unknown detention centres), without charge and without bringing them before any Court of Law as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“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.
“A breakdown of the list of those who have currently been arrested without charge and remain in unlawful custody at undisclosed locations in Abuja and other places is as set out hereunder:
ARRESTED OR BEING HARRSSED BY THE POLICE
- Lucky Aidenya
- Festus Unuabor
- Maxwell
- Francis Inegbeneki
- Dr. Kelly Inedegbor
- Saugie Enabulele
- Festus Ovienloba
- Moha Haruna
- Luke Einojie
- Gabriel Omhenra
- Emmanuel Oroto
- Noel Mathews
- Amos Tom Udehagene
- Osi Imojire
- Kingsley Osehon
- Kehinde Olotu and many more.
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THE FOLLOWING ARE IN POLICE CUSTODY FOR UPWARDS OF TWO WEEKS
- Noel Mathews
- Amos Tom Udehagene
- Osi Imojire
- Kingsley Osehon
- Kehinde Olotu and many more.
THE FOLLOWING ARE DECLARED WANTED BY THE POLICE
- Dr. Kelly Inedegbor
- Emmanuel Oroto
- Moha Haruna
- Luke Einojie
- Festus Unuabor
- Gabriel Omhenra and many more.
“The way forward As things stand today, the Peoples Democratic Party and in fact, the people of Edo State, believe that certain minimum steps must be immediately taken to create an atmosphere of fairness and balance, and a level playing field as a non-negotiable requirement for the enthronement of peace and security in the run-up to the election.