Edo 2024: Edo State Government Raises Alarm Over Arrest Of Party Leaders

The Edo State Government has expressed concern over the arrest of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, urging security agencies to halt the arrests.

According to the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, the arrests are a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate and harass PDP members and supporters ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

Multiple Arrests Reported

Nehikhare alleged that over 10 PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, are being held in detention centers on the orders of the APC.

He demanded that the APC explain the whereabouts of the arrested PDP members and leaders, questioning why they have not been charged in court since their arrest.

APC Denies Involvement

However, the Media Director of the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kazeem Afegbua, denied any involvement in the arrests.

Instead, he accused the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of plotting to “burn down Nigeria” and orchestrating mass protests to disrupt the country and invite military intervention.

Allegations of Police Complicity

Afegbua claimed that an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sanni Fodio, is shielding individuals complicit in the killing of Inspector Akor Onu and is working with the Governor’s Chief Security Officer to orchestrate frustrations against APC members.

He cited an incident where seven APC members and three PDP members were arrested, but the PDP members were released immediately while the APC members were detained until the APC’s legal team intervened.

Plot to Disrupt Edo State and National Stability

Afegbua alleged that Governor Obaseki plans to shut down Edo State through mass protests starting from September 15 and that other PDP-controlled states would join the protest, aiming to invite military intervention at the federal level.

He also claimed that the Governor plans to postpone school resumption dates to orchestrate a nationwide protest leading to a military takeover.