Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has threatened that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might not partake in the signing of the Peace Accord today, Thursday, ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial elections.
He claimed that the Nigerian Police were acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress and waging war against the PDP.
Obaseki made the allegation when he received the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital, ahead of the signing of the Peace Accord on September 12, 2024.
He told Abubakar the the police, under the influence of the APC, had arrested no fewer than 10 PDP chieftains perceived as strong political opponents, including the serving Chairman of the Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun.
Obaseki explained that upon learning of the council chairman’s arrest, he contacted the Edo State Commissioner of Police, requesting that due process be followed and that the case be handled within the state’s jurisdiction.
He said his plea was ignored, undermining his authority as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
The governor wondered how a peace accord could be signed with an enforcement body that had demonstrated bias in favour of one of the parties in the election.
He said, “You are very conversant with the politics of Edo State. You were here in 2020, and we had a very heated election. You know this is an off-cycle election, and there is a lot of attention.
“Unlike 2020, I am very worried about the developments in the state today. The party met yesterday, and we may not sign this agreement. This is the first time we are witnessing that the entity supposed to maintain and enforce the peace accord is now actively creating a destructive environment.
“The opposition party in the state, the APC, has always argued that they may not be as popular and didn’t win in the last election, but they have promised to use federal power to determine the outcome of this election.
“We thought it was just rhetoric, but in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed police gangs have entered Edo State to invade, arrest, and take away PDP members.
“As we speak, 10 PDP members are arrested and detained in Abuja without trial. Two days ago, they arrested a local government chairman. The chairman was heading home when he was attacked and shot at. We reported the incident, and the police asked him to provide evidence. He complied, but instead of investigating, they arrested him. As I speak, he is in Abuja.
“Even if an offence has been committed in Edo State, why not charge them and try the case here? Why take them to Abuja? Are these crimes high treason? Why not bring them to court here?
“The IGP’s office issued a warrant to arrest 60 PDP supporters, driving all our leaders into hiding. My role as the Chief Security Officer of the state is being undermined by the IGP. When I hear of an arrest and contact the Commissioner of Police, I am told the individual has been moved to Abuja.
“So, tell me, sir, how can we sign a peace accord under these circumstances? What they’re essentially telling us is that this will be a violent election and they will use coercion and intimidation to win, whether we like it or not. That’s the message. Now that the IGP is in town, we demand that everyone arrested be returned to Edo and tried here. Until then, we have no confidence that the police will protect us in Edo State during the governorship election.”
