Victor Ezeja
Former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to release chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State who were arrested and detained.
Atiku condemned the action of police in arresting and detaining PDP leaders in Edo State ahead of the governorship election, saying the time has come for security agencies to be called to account for their conduct.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement via his X handle, the former vice president said it is “a grievous affront to the ideals of peace and harmony” for security agencies to “arbitrarily detain local leaders of the PDP”, adding that such action makes the party unable to remain “a competitive force” as the election day draws closer.
He further stated that if the police or any other security agency has any substantial evidence of wrongdoing by the people being detained, they should be charged to court instead of continuing to keep them in detention without any form of trial.
“The time has come for our security agencies to be called to account. It is a grievous affront to the ideals of peace and harmony when, on the cusp of an off-season election, these agencies arbitrarily detain local leaders of the PDP, thus robbing the opposition of the essential tools that would allow it to remain a competitive force.
“It is incumbent upon the Inspector General of Police and other esteemed heads of security to immediately release all detained members of the PDP or, should there be substantial grounds, to duly present them before the courts,” Atiku stated.
The PDP Presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election warned that peace and order could be hampered if the state’s security agencies are used to harass and intimidate innocent political opponents.
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“The very essence of tranquility is imperiled when the state’s federal assets are wielded to harass and intimidate political adversaries,” Atiku stated.
Atiku was reacting to a statement issued by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, raising the alarm about continuous arrest of the PDP’s chieftains in the state by the police ahead of the governorship election.
Harassments, Arrest of PDP Chieftains Will Lead to Crisis – Obaseki
Governor Obaseki, in a statement on Wednesday, accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), of colluding with the police to hound, attack, arrest and detain PDP members in the state, warning that such action could degenerate into crisis.
Obaseki claimed that in the last few weeks, the police “under the manipulation of APC”, has arrested not less than 10 PDP chieftains who they feel would be strong political opposition to them election in the upcoming election.
The Edo governor alleged that the PDP members arrested were taken to Abuja where they are being detained.
According to Obaseki, one of the PDP chieftains being detained include Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun.
The governor further claimed that the police have been given a list of names of PDP chieftains to be arrested and detained until after the election.
He said that all petitions and appeals to the IGP have not dissuaded the police from discontinuing the intimidation and arrest of PDP members.
Obaseki demanded “immediate and unconditional release of the PDP members who were arrested in a Gestapo style by the police.”
He added that if the PDP leaders were legally arrested, they should be charged to courts in Benin “to answer for whatever infractions being alleged.”
He also appealed to the president to call the police and APC leaders to order over their conduct in the lead up to the election.
Prime Business Africa reports that the Edo State governorship election will hold on 21 September, with the ruling PDP in the state, APC, Labour Party and other minor political parties warming up for the exercise.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
