PDP accuses police of harassment ahead of Edo governorship election

• In response, the APC dismissed the PDP’s claims
  

  ---

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of targeting its members ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

The ruling party claims the police are acting in collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate its supporters and disrupt their campaign.

At a press conference, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director General of the Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie Campaign Management Council, alleged that the police had unlawfully arrested party members, including Amos Tom and Kingsley Osahon, while others, such as Odion Olaye and Chief Francis Inegbiniki, have been marked for arrest using what he described as a “fake” court warrant.

Iduoriyekemwen claimed that officers from the Intelligence Response Team in Abuja, allegedly led by CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, have been paid to carry out these actions. “These officers, armed with AK-47 rifles and traveling in Hummer buses and Hilux vans, have been moving around the state harassing and abducting our party chieftains,” he said.

In response, the APC dismissed the PDP’s claims. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Director of Publicity for the APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, described the allegations as a distraction from the PDP’s failure to run a coherent campaign. Omo-Ojo countered that the APC has been under attack from state-sponsored groups linked to the PDP, including the Edo State Security Network, which he accused of murdering Police Inspector Akor Onuh at Benin City Airport.

Omo-Ojo also referenced a viral video in which Rev. Olu Martins, Deputy Director General of the Asue Ighodalo Campaign Organisation, allegedly incited violence against the opposition. Martins is currently facing criminal charges related to the incident.

The APC further called on the PDP to cooperate with law enforcement in investigating crimes allegedly committed by its members and urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to disband the Edo State Security Network to promote a peaceful election environment.