Thirty-five days before the Edo State governorship election on September 21, the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress are at odds over suspected election-rigging conspiracies.
The PDP says that “rogue policemen” from the Intelligence Response Team in Abuja, commanded by CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, were hired by the APC to harass, attack, and kidnap PDP leaders. Rev. Olu Martins, Deputy Director General for Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Council, stated:
“We urge the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, and the State’s Commissioner of Police to investigate the case…” Suspected renegade mufti-wearing police personnel, armed with AK-47 rifles and other hazardous weapons, have harassed and arrested PDP chieftains across the state.
The PDP claims that police personnel have arrested some PDP members and want to kidnap others to damage the party ahead of the election.
On the other hand, the APC demands the arrest and investigation of Mr. Emmanuel Odigie for his claims on national television that people are calling for a military takeover and that he is aware of plans by the federal government to compromise the election in favor of the APC.
The Director of Publicity for the APC Edo Governorship Campaign Council, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, said: “Odigie’s words are highly inflammable and inciting… Nigerians are concerned about the reckless heinous plan to discredit the yet-to-be-held September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State… We request a thorough investigation of all his allegations, including those against the President and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other top government officials.”