As the September 21, 2024, Edo State gubernatorial election approaches, the political landscape has grown increasingly tense, marred by accusations of intimidation and arrests of opposition leaders.
The Edo State Government has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a campaign of harassment against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with more than ten PDP leaders reportedly detained without charges.
Among those arrested are local government officials, raising concerns over the fairness of the electoral process.
The PDP alleges that the arrests are part of a broader strategy by the APC to weaken their participation, claiming rogue police officers are being used to intimidate party members.
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Reports suggest plans to deploy thugs disguised as police officers to disrupt voting on election day.
Despite a court ruling restraining further arrests of PDP leaders, harassment continues, heightening fears of election manipulation and violence.
These actions have prompted the PDP to refuse to sign a peace accord intended to ensure a calm election atmosphere.
The party argues that the prevailing environment is too hostile to support a fair process, rendering any peace agreement meaningless under such circumstances.
Calls for intervention have come from within Nigeria and abroad, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urging security agencies to remain neutral and release detained PDP members.
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Local advocacy groups, such as Edo Collectives, have also appealed to the Inspector General of Police to stop what they describe as politically motivated arrests aimed at stifling opposition. Fearing that the police are being misused to facilitate election rigging, these groups are pushing for the involvement of international observers from entities like the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to ensure a free and fair election.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has echoed these concerns, warning that unchecked police actions and political tension could lead to broader unrest, not just in Edo State but across Nigeria.
With international attention mounting, the situation in Edo remains precarious, with many watching to see whether the election can proceed without further escalation.