The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its counterpart, the All Progressives Congress (APC) are at loggerheads over alleged intimidation and arrest ahead of the September 21st governorship election in the state.
In a press conference in Benin on Sunday, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director-General, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, accused the APC of using operatives of the Nigeria Police to “harass, unlawfully arrest, and kidnap chieftains of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the three (3) senatorial districts.”
But firing back at Iduoriyekemwen, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo,
Director of Publicity, APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, said the “PDP has abandoned campaigns to concentrate on mischievous propaganda to cover up their failure to articulate campaign strategy which has become obvious with their dwindling members.”
According to Iduoriyekemwen, the police officers have been “operating outside the scope of their job, carrying AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons and moving around the State in Hummer buses and Hilux vans, to harass and abduct our party chieftains across the state.”
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The Director-General, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, further stated: “These policemen are said to be deployed by one DC Sanusi Muhammad of the IRT, Force Headquarters, in Abuja.
“These policemen have since the onset of their sinister operations arrested some of our party members, including Mr Amos Tom , and Hon. Kingsley Osahon, the Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area, along with several others whose whereabout are currently unknown.
“We are also aware that they have compiled a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the State’s three senatorial districts, and even procured fake court warrants of arrest with names of PDP members, whom they plan to abduct to weaken the PDP ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
“Among the names believed to be on this list include, Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief B. Olukoga, Mr Festus Osaigbovo,Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, among others whose identities are yet to be confirmed.”
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However, Director of Publicity, APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council responded: “The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has become a huge embarrassment to itself with its unrelenting media attack on the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies in the country.
“Only recently, a chieftain of the PDP, Prince Emmanuel Origin was seen on Arise Television calling on the Nigerian Army to sack the democratically elected federal government of Nigeria.
“These are obvious infractions of the law that needs thorough investigation.
“Earlier, the Deputy Director General of Asue Ighodalo Campaign Organisation, Rev Olu Martins had openly charged some PDP agents to attack members of the opposition in a viral video. The said Martins is now standing criminal trial for his pro-violent conduct.
“We call on the leadership of the PDP to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies in the investigation of the various crimes that have been committed by its members. “
Contacted, the Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, asked for a text message, saying he couldn’t talk at the moment.
“I will get back to you please,” he added. But he was yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.