The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has accused the Inspector General of making nonsense of his role as the Chief Security officer of the State, following the alleged harassment and arrested of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and supporters by police operatives, ahead of the September 21st governorship election in the State.
He made the assertion when he played received the chairman of the National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar on Wednesday in Benin City, Edo State.
Obaseki vowed to put a strong fight with stiff resistance against the non-challant behaviour and unbridled partisan interest of police authorities may derail the forthcoming poll.
The Governor alleged that the Nigeria Police have secured arrest warrant against 60 PDP supporters in the State, out of which, 10 top members of party ruling party in the State have been arrested by police operatives from the State and taken to police detention in FCT without trial on orders of the IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
He lamented that the behaviour of some armed police personnel from Abuja who effect arrest in Edo State at the behest of the IGP undermines his authority as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State.
He maintained that if the dangerous precedent if not urgently checked could breed violence ahead of the poll, noting that PDP may not sign the National Peace Pact due to lack of enforcement of Peace by the police, which he claimed are interested party in the election.
“From that development to where we are today, my party and I met yesterday (Tuesday). And we are not likely to sign the Peace Pact scheduled for Thursday September 12th 2024 at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, Edo State.
“The person who was supposed to enforce the Peace Accord is now an actor and participant in creating disruptive narratives.
“As we speak, there are about 10 PDP supporters held in Abuja detention without trial”, according to him.
Responding, the chairman of the National Peace Committee, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Nigeria former Head of State, said the Committee is in the State for Candidates contesting the election and leaders of the political parties to sign the National Peace Pact, which he said is a necessary tool for “a peaceful election”.
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