Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, tensions have escalated as Governor Godwin Obaseki and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have accused the police of bias against their party.
The disagreement involves the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who announced the deployment of 35,000 police officers and 8,000 additional personnel from other security agencies to ensure security during the election.
The controversy emerged during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where its Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, revealed that former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, was in town to oversee the signing of a peace pact by all parties and candidates.
The meeting included representatives from 18 political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), civil society groups, and the palace of the Oba of Benin.
In his address, Egbetokun stated that activities of state-level security groups, such as the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), would be suspended, and security aides for VIPs would be withdrawn on election day.
He emphasized that all stakeholders must ensure a peaceful election and warned of severe consequences for anyone caught violating electoral laws.
His words: “It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that elections take place and the security of all is the responsibility of the police and we will be supported by other security agencies to ensure safety. We understand the importance of our role in this election and we will ensure that everything is done in compliance with that.
“We will deploy sufficient personnel for the election. For the Edo State Governorship election, we will deploy 35,000 personnel, there will be another 8,000 from other security agencies to complement us. We have undertaken several measures including a tour of hot spots, engaging stakeholders and operational visits and we will continuously engage all.”
He said all entry and exit points in the state would be manned while movements would be restricted between 6 am and 6 pm and urged the political leaders to warn their members against any form of violence.”
Governor Obaseki, however, has expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s actions, suggesting that they favor the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He hinted that the PDP might not sign the peace accord due to perceived police bias. Obaseki pointed to recent incidents where police allegedly targeted PDP members, including the arrest of several party leaders, which he claims were politically motivated.
He argued that the police should follow due process and handle any legal matters within the state’s jurisdiction rather than transferring suspects to Abuja.
In his words: “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-circle 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 might not likely sign this agreement. This is the first time we are witnessing that the person who is supposed to keep and enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in 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 promised to use Federal might to determine the outcome of the election.
“We thought it’s just rhetoric but in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed gang policemen have come into Edo State to invade, arrest and take away PDP members.
“As we speak there are 10 PDP members arrested and detained in Abuja without a trial. Two days ago, they came to pick up a local government chairman. The Chairman was going back home and was attacked and shot at. We reported and the police asked him to come and give evidence, he came and was arrested. As I speak, he is in Abuja.
“Even if an offense has been committed in Edo State, why will you not charge the offenses and try them here in the State? Why take them to Abuja, are the offenses of high treason? Why not charge them to court?
“The IGP’s office came in, 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 made nonsense of by the IGP. I heard somebody was arrested and I called the Commissioner to inform him. He said he will come back to me only to hear that he moved the person to Abuja.
“Tell me sir, how can we sign a peace accord in this situation? Clearly, what they are saying is that it’s going to be a violent election and that they are going to use the forces of coercion and intimidation to win elections in Edo whether we like it or not. That is the message. Now that the IGP is in town, we say until everybody arrested is brought back to Edo and be tried here in Edo for whatever offences they have committed, we have no confidence that the police will protect us in Edo State during the Governorship election.”
The PDP’s concerns also extend to the deployment of officials with alleged ties to APC figures, including associates of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The PDP accused the IGP of partisanship, a claim Egbetokun denied, stating that the police’s role is to maintain order and investigate crimes impartially.
Meanwhile, INEC has announced the extension of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until September 15, in an effort to increase voter participation.
The Commission has also accredited 134 observer groups and 114 media organizations to cover the election, aiming for transparency and credibility in the process.
