BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – With only days to the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders have joined Governor Godwin Obaseki to raise an alarm over the tense security situation in the state.
In an obvious vote of no confidence on the Force, Obaseki accused the police of undermining his authority as the state’s Chief Security Officer, alleging that they are biased and incapable of being fair to all participants in the electoral process.
Governor Obaseki, who bared his mind to the former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), expressed concerns over the conduct of the police and other security agencies, accusing them of actively encouraging and undertaking actions aimed at disrupting the election process.
Obaseki said, “You were here in 2020, and just like you rightly said, this is an off-cycle election, there’s a lot of attention. Unlike 2020, I am very worried because of the development, and where we are today, to sign the security pact. But the person who is supposed to enforce peace is now an active participant in creating a disruptive process.
“We had situations where, from the IG’s, armed men just came into Edo state to invade, arrest, and take away PDP members. As we speak, there are about ten members detained in Abuja without trial. Two days ago, they came to pick up a local government chairman. He was on his way home, attacked, and shot at.
“He reported that the police asked him to come give evidence but was arrested. As I speak, he is in Abuja. If offences were committed in Edo state, why would you not try them here? Why take them to Abuja? Are the offences of high treason? And why not even charge them to court in Abuja?”
Recounting how he sought the intervention of the Edo State Commissioner of Police in one of the arrest cases, only for him to dubiously facilitate the suspect’s transfer to Abuja before dawn the following day.
“The police came in and obtained a warrant to arrest 60 PDP supporters. All these to drive all our leaders into hiding. So, for me, my role as the Chief Security Officer of the State is being made nonsense of by the IG. I called the Commissioner and let him look into it. He said he would get back to me. The next day, he moved him to Abuja before 4 am. So, how can we sign a peace accord?
“Clearly, what we are seeing is that they want to have a violent election. They would use the forces of coercion and intimidation to win the election by hook and crook whether we like it or not. That’s the message.
“It is why we say that everybody arrested is released or brought back to Edo to try them for whatever offence they have committed until we can do anything. We have no confidence that the police will protect us in this election.”
IGP Egbetokun Faults PDP’s Claims, Says Police Remain Impartial, Professional
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has picked holes in the PDP’s allegations that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have shown bias ahead of the governorship poll.
Reacting to Edo State governing party’s allegations, IGP Egbetokun said; “You accuse the IG of being partisan because I am bent on unraveling the killing of a police officer. If you hold the opinion that the IG is partisan for going after the killer of the policeman, I think you will remain with that opinion forever.”
He urged all stakeholders to embrace peace, tolerance, and respect for the democratic process promising that the police would “remain impartial, professional, and vigilant.”
The Police boss further assured thus; “We have put in place robust measures for the safety of persons and materials that would be involved in this election”
National Peace Committee and Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has challenged the people of Edo State to explore legal means to seek redress if not satisfied with the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
Kukah’s charge comes on the heels of assurances by Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, that the electoral umpire is ready to “conduct free, fair and credible election in the state”.
Bishop Kukah, who spoke at the Peace Accord signing ceremony organised by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee for political parties featuring in the Edo State gubernatorial poll, said legal means to resolve issues would always bring about peace.
He urged the candidates to embrace peace at all times as the people go out to cast their votes on election day, noting that the Peace Committee has the mechanisms to resolve some of the problems highlighted by stakeholders in the election.
“We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues. I am happy that Nigerians have confidence in the electoral process.”
According to the respected Priest; “The worst election is remedied by another election.”
Probe Allegations Of Police Bias – Group Begs Abubakar Committee
The Edo Salvation Group (ESG) has joined the political fray in urging the General Abubakar-led National Peace Committee to investigate allegations of bias against the Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the governorship election in the state.
Specifically, the group said the Committee should interrogate claims that officials of the PDP were being hounded and locked up indiscriminately by the Police.
A statement signed by the Group’s Coordinator, Mani Ekpe, expressed concern that the General Abubakar-led body has for the first time since its advent in 2014 been unable to bring the major election contenders to a peace table.
While noting the arrest of several PDP officials, the ESG said there are serious concerns over reports that more officials of the PDP campaign organisations have been marked for arrest as the election draws near.
