Edo Guber Poll: Police warned against taking sides as election draws closer

Forum 5 days ago

Edo Guber Poll: Police warned against taking sides as election draws closer

The Edo State Police Command has been warned against partisanship in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The warning is coming about 10 days to the election, scheduled for September 21, 2024.

A group, the Edo Movement for the Masses, in a statement on Wednesday, advised the Police to steer clear of the politics.

In the statement signed by its leader, Eriki Johnson, the group urged the Police to allow politicians play their game and refrain from arresting Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, politicians for flimsy reasons.

The group warned that arresting PDP politicians for no just cause will heighten tension in the state.

“By the action of the police in the state so far, police is not neutral but supporting the APC in all ramifications,” the statement said.

According to the group, “clear hoodlum activities” perpetrated by supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are not attended to by the Police “but those going about their lawful campaign are being harassed and arrested”.

The group stressed that “Police is for the masses irrespective of political affiliations”.

It was reported that the Edo State Government had on Tuesday alleged that 10 members of the PDP in the state had been arrested and whisked away to Abuja by the Nigeria Police.

Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, said the arrested PDP leaders include a local government chairman and operatives of the State Vigilante Network.