The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Nigeria Police Force to stop harassing its members.
The party in a statement by Rev. Olu Martins, the PDP Campaign Council’s Deputy Director General for Media and Publicity, claim the police are using the investigation of the July 18, 2024, violence on Airport Road in Benin City as an excuse to target them.
According to the PDP, the violence was actually caused by thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP is demanding that the police focus on arresting those truly responsible for the violence, who were seen in photos and videos with firearms. These individuals were allegedly involved in a disturbance during a welcome event for the impeached Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okphebholo.
The statement reads, “For the past couple of weeks, some members of the tactical unit of the Nigeria Police Force have been moving around the State in three Hummer buses and a Hilux van, threatening and harassing Edo PDP chieftains while leaving those who were photographed in that mayhem walk free.
“This is totally condemnable and unacceptable and reinforces the concerns of many political actors in the State that the police have become an extension of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The situation has further heightened tensions and created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, which poses a serious threat to the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the State.”
“We would like to stress that the role of the police is to impartially uphold the law, and ensure the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations. It is deeply troubling that those who are supposed to ensure public peace and that everyone has equal and unhindered access to justice have become tools in the hands of desperate politicians who are hell-bent on stirring crisis and chaos in the State in pursuit of their selfish
“We call upon the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order to prevent a descent to anarchy in the State. They must read the mood of the nation and know that there is anger and angst in the land and the poor handling of any matter, especially in the buildup to the forthcoming Edo Governorship Election slated for September 21, may just be the ignition for a conflagration that may well be avoided.”