• Highlights Demands Ahead of Election

• Safiu Kehinde

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused major opponent the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of alleged plot to unleash violence during Edo gubernatorial election.

This was disclosed in a Press Briefing organized by the PDP on Thursday.

Following their refusal to sign Peace Accord earlier today, the party’s acting chairman, Umar Illya Damagun, had laid allegations against APC and the IGP for conveying violence on members and supporters of the PDP in an effort to discourage them from voting.

Damagun alleged that the Response Team created by the IGP were influenced by APC leaders with the aim of harassing and torturing PDP members, especially those who decamped from the APC.

“…we want to use this medium to alert Nigerians that since the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its lackluster candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo realized that they have no chance in the election, they have resorted to violence, manipulations and using some rogue police operatives to harass, arrest, torture and detain innocent citizens of Edo State, particularly members and supporters of the PDP.

“You will recall that the PDP had earlier raised alarm on the reported activity of a terror squad going by the name, IGP response team which, on the instruction of APC leaders are hounding, arresting and torturing members and supporters of the PDP especially those who recently decamped from the APC to the PDP.” Damagun said.

He further disclosed that about 16 members of the PDP have been arrested and allegedly tortured while 15 other are currently marked for arrest.

“As I address you today, no fewer than 16 of our members and supporters have been arrested in Edo State on trumped-up charges with some of them whisked to Abuja where they are detained and tortured.

“In the same vein no fewer than 15 others have been marked for arrest by the police on trumped-up charges.

“The intention of the APC in this sinister plot is to terrify the people of Edo State, prevent them from coming out to vote and seize the opportunity to manipulate and rig the election, a plot which is being firmly resisted by the people.” He continued.

Damagun wrought further allegations on Egbetokun, accusing the IGP of plotting to disband Edo State Security Corps so as to give free hands to thugs to disrupt electoral process.

He added that the APC have infiltrated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by influencing the Electoral body’s appointment of Anugbum Onuoha, whom they labeled as ‘APC apologist and supporter’ as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

While describing Anugbum’s appointment as unacceptable, PDP highlighted their demands ahead of the election.

They demanded for the redeployment of Edo state Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, while also calling for the release of detained PDP members.

In the same vein, they charged the IGP to desist from interfering in the activities of Edo State Security Corps and recognize his duty to the Nigerian people, constitution, and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo state and the entire nation.

PDP also demanded the redeployment of Anugbum Onuoha from Edo state as they warned against the repetition of an ugly scenario witnessed during the 2023 Adamawa governorship election where an allegedly bias Resident Electoral Commissioner and some INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of agitated electorates.