Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has opened a can of worm accusing the Nigeria Police of allegedly collecting N64 million to effect the bail of members of the party who were arrested and detained before the conduct of the 2024 Governorship Election in the state.
The allegation was made by the state PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, while briefing newsmen on Monday in Benin, Edo State Capital.
“You will recall that the police were arresting our members on the false allegation of killing SP Akor.
“The police have shamelessly released our members after collecting about N64 million ostensibly for bail
“Amazingly, more arrests have been made after the election. How low can the police go under this patently biased IGP heading the armed wing of the APC”, Aziegbemi.
According to the PDP Chairman, “Our intelligent unit have uncovered plans by the APC to burn INEC Office. We are alerting the security agencies of this devilish plan”.
He, however commended the people of the state for voting for the PDP in the just concluded governoship poll despite facing all odds.
“let me on behalf of the PDP express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all Edolites that came out en masse on the 21st of September, 2024 to cast your votes for the PDP in spite of the unprecedented militarization and financial inducement by the APC.
“We are here to let you know that your vote will eventually count. You stared at the barrel of the gun, took their (our) money (in most cases fifteen thousand per vote) and you voted for the PDP”, he said
All efforts to reach the police command in Edo for reaction proved abortive as phone calls put across to the command’s image maker, Moses Yamu, were not answered.
He, however responded to a text sent to his phone number, saying””Can’t talk now, please, text me” as at the time of the report.
But contacted on phone, the Zonal 5 Police Public Relations Officer, Tijani Momoh, said: “Call the Command PRO, Command”.
When our correspondent told him that he has called the Command’s PRO and he did not picked his call, Tijani angrily asked “why are you (our correspondent) calling me?
Is it me that they paid it to or the zone? They did it at the command. How will I know it”, he queried.