Ahead of next weekend’s gubernatorial election in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the redeployment of the state police commissioner, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, who is a former aide to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
The main opposition party made these demands during a press conference addressed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. They argued that these officials cannot guarantee a credible election in the state.
The PDP also warned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to refrain from interfering with the Edo State Security Corps, a body established by the state House of Assembly.
Noting that the party’s candidate, Fr. Asue Ighodalo, “is heading to a sweeping victory with almost 70% of the expected votes in the election,” the PDP accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to pre-election manipulation and harassment due to its lack of a path to victory.
Ologunagba stated: “It is clear that the people of Edo State have made up their minds to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as their next governor, given his established track record, proficiencies, experience, and passion for the people, as articulated in his Prosperity for All Manifesto, which embodies the will and aspirations of the generality of the people of Edo State.”
“However, we want to alert Nigerians that since the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its lackluster candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, realized they have no chance in the election, they have resorted to violence, manipulation, and using rogue police operatives to harass, arrest, torture, and detain innocent citizens of Edo State, particularly PDP members and supporters.
“You will recall that the PDP had earlier raised concerns about a terror squad known as the IGP Response Team, which, on the instruction of APC leaders, is hounding, arresting, and torturing PDP members and supporters, especially those who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.
“Reports reaching our party indicate that this APC-controlled torture squad, allegedly operating with the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, is arresting and detaining our members on trumped-up charges. Some of them have been whisked to Abuja, where they are detained and tortured. Additionally, no fewer than 15 others have been marked for arrest on similar charges.
“The APC’s intention is to terrorize the people of Edo State, prevent them from voting, and seize the opportunity to manipulate and rig the election—a plot that is being firmly resisted by the people.”
The PDP spokesperson added that the situation in Edo State is further exacerbated by the IGP’s attempt to unconstitutionally disband the Edo State Security Corps, established by the Edo State House of Assembly.
He continued: “There are apprehensions in Edo State that this attempt by the IGP is meant to allow APC thugs to unleash violence on the people and facilitate election manipulation in favor of the APC.”
The PDP reiterated its warning to the APC and what it called compromised police operatives, stating that they have pushed the people of Edo State to the limit and that the reaction of the people in the face of these unwarranted attacks and assaults is unpredictable.
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The party added: “The APC is testing the patience and forbearance of the people of Edo State and should be prepared to face the consequences.
“Furthermore, the APC is attempting to infiltrate and compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by reportedly influencing the appointment of a known APC supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). His appointment is unacceptable as it suggests bias and manipulation by the APC, thus compromising the transparency, fairness, and credibility of the gubernatorial election in Edo State.
“Consequently, the PDP demands the following: The IGP must recognize his duty to the Nigerian people, the Constitution, and the maintenance of peace and security in Edo State and the nation.
“The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, to ensure confidence, peace, and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should also release all members of the PDP currently detained by the police.
“The IGP should refrain from interfering with the activities of the Edo State Security Corps, a body legally established.
“The PDP demands that INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploy the Edo State REC, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, especially given the public agitation against this controversial appointment.
“This is not only to ensure a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avoid a repeat of the situation in the 2023 Adamawa State governorship election, where a biased REC and other INEC officials faced severe backlash from an agitated electorate.”
The PDP commended the courage of the people of Edo State and urged them to remain vigilant and committed to defending democracy and their votes in the Edo State governorship election on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
“Edo State people are assured that the PDP will stand with them in ensuring that their will, as expressed at the polls, is not undermined,” the party spokesperson declared.
