Governorship election: Edo govt raises the alarm over arrest of PDP leaders

The Edo State Government yesterday raised the alarm over alleged indiscriminate arrest of leaders of the Peoples Democrat­ic Party (PDP) by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) on false accusations ahead of the September 21 governorship elec­tion in the state.

The state government alleged that over 10 PDP leaders, includ­ing the Local Government Chair­man of Esan West Council, who it said are being kept in dungeons on the orders of the APC, reports Daily Independent.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, called on secu­rity agencies to halt the arrest of PDP leaders and supporters in the state as a device to weaken the political base of the PDP.

Nehikhare said that no amount of intimidation will make the APC win the Septem­ber 21 Edo governorship election.

According to the commis­sioner, “We have every reason to accuse the APC of being behind the arrest of some of our leaders and supporters across the state because they have been boasting on how they are going to use their federal might in the election.

“This could be one of the an­tics because some of our mem­bers have been in detention for the past two months without being charged to court.”

Nehikhare urged the APC and its cohorts to tell Edo people why the intimidation and arrest of its members.

“Let the APC explain to us where our members and lead­ers are? Why have they not been charged to court since their arrest.

“Instead, the APC has been boasting of their plans to attack, intimidate, and harass PDP mem­bers and supporters,” Nehikhare said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Edo State chapter of the Asso­ciation of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Newman Ugiagbe, on Tuesday condemned in strong terms the assault and ar­rest of their colleague and chair­man, Esan West Local Govern­ment Council, Collins Aigbogun.

Ugiagbe said the assault and arrest of the Esan West Local Government Council Chairman, Collins Aigbogun, is a clear viola­tion of democratic principles and the rule of law.

“ALGON urgently called on the relevant security agencies, including the Attorney Gener­al, Commissioner of Police, Edo State, AIG Zone 5, and all con­cerned security authorities to take immediate action in investi­gating and bringing the perpetra­tors of this heinous act to justice.

“It is disheartening to note that the All Progressives Con­gress (APC) appears to be resort­ing to violence and intimidation tactics, including unwarranted attacks on PDP members. Such unprovoked assaults must be ad­dressed swiftly to prevent further harm and ensure a free and fair electoral process,” Ugiagbe said.

He also called on all stakehold­ers, political parties, and security agencies to work together to safe­guard the rights and safety of all citizens during the governorship election in Edo.

“We urge the authorities to prioritise the investigation of this assault and hold the culprits accountable for their actions.

“Violence has no place in our democratic society, and we must all strive to uphold the principles of justice and equality for the benefit of all, and we demand the immediate release of Hon. Collins Aigbogun, Chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, who is the complainant but suddenly being victimised by the police from Force Headquar­ters in Abuja,” Ugiagbe said.