. . . Demands level playing field for all parties

The Nigeria Police Force has been called upon to end all forms of harassment, intimidation and outright victimisation of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and allow for a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

The call was contained in a statement on Wednesday by Team Asue Media Organization (TAMO) in Benin City in which it expressed disappointment at what it described as the uneven-handedness of the Nigeria Police in the state which is skewed against the PDP.

The group lamented that “in the last two months, leaders and chieftains of the party have expressed their concern about the overt partisanship of the Police Force but there has been no assurance from the Police to the party hierarchy.”

According to TAMO, “Not long ago, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director-General Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council, raised the alarm at a press conference in Benin City in which he detailed what the party has suffered in terms of arrest, harassment and intimidation of members. Curiously, there has been no move to address the party’s complaints.

“Mr Iduoriyekemwen listed some of the arrested chieftains of the party to include Mr Amos Tom and Kingsley Osahon, the Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area. He also alleged that the whereabouts of several other members of the PDP are currently unknown.

“He made it clear that intel at the party’s disposal showed that a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the state’s three senatorial districts had been compiled and even fake court warrants of arrest with names of PDP members had been procured all in a bid to weaken the PDP ahead of the forthcoming election.

“Some of the names believed to be on the list include, Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief B. Olukoga, Mr Festus Osaigbovo, Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, the Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, among others whose identities have yet to be confirmed.”

TAMO considered “this development by a supposed national Police Force, brazenly taking side with a political party in an electoral contest as rather unfortunate.” It noted that while the PDP has been campaigning diligently, moving from ward to ward and local government to local government actively engaging the people across various platforms, articulating its programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State, the opposition parties are attempting to weaponize the police against the people.

TAMO called on the Police Force not to allow itself to be used in giving meaning to the boast by the opposition to deploy federal might to win the election. It insisted that the Police Force should provide a level playing field.

TAMO equally emphasised the need to bring to justice “all the thugs that were captured in various amateur videos causing mayhem in Benin City on July 18, the day former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, accompanied by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Monday Okpebholo, came to Benin purportedly to assume duty following a Federal High Court judgment.”

It tasked the Police Force to demonstrate its readiness to be impartial and unbiased before, during and after the election by publicly announcing its neutrality ahead of the election.

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