The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Lemo Edwin Ivwo, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, ahead of the Edo Governorship election.
PDP National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum, made this demand following an emergency meeting of the party’s leadership in Abuja, citing concerns about a conspiracy involving the All Progressives Congress (APC), the police, and rogue elements within INEC to manipulate the election results.
Damagum said, “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.
“Reports reaching our Party is that the said APC-controlled torture squad arresting and detaining our members is allegedly operating with the knowledge of the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo.
“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.
“The situation in Edo State is further exacerbated by the attempt by the Inspector General of Police to unconstitutionally disband the Edo State Security Corps statutorily established by the Edo State House of Assembly.
“There are apprehensions in Edo State that this is attempt by IGP Police to allow the APC thugs to have a field day to unleash violence on the people and pave way for manipulation of the election in favour of the APC.
“The PDP for the umpteenth time cautions the APC and the compromised Police operatives to note that they have pushed the people of Edo State to the wall and that the reaction of the people in the face of these unwarranted attacks and assault is better imagined.
“The APC is stretching the patience and forbearance of the people of Edo State to the limits and should be ready to face the consequences.
“Furthermore, the APC is attempting to infiltrate and compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by reportedly influencing the appointment of a known APC apologist and supporter, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, who is notorious for his partisan association with APC leaders, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).
“The appointment of this overtly partisan individual as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner is completely unacceptable as he is susceptible to bias, manipulations by the APC and therefore not in position to guarantee a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo State.
“Consequently, the PDP demands as follows;
“The IGP must recognize his duty to the Nigerian people, the Constitution and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo State and the entire nation.
“The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release of all members of the PDP being detained by the Police.
“The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment.
“This is not only to guarantee a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avert the ugly scenario witnessed in the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election where a biased Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of agitated electorate.
“The PDP salutes the courage of the people of Edo State and urges them to remain vigilant and at alert to defend democracy and defend their votes at the Saturday, September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election.
“Edo State people are assured that the PDP will be with them in their desire to ensure that their Will as expressed at the poll is not subverted.”
On the peace accord, Damagum said, “So as regards to the signing of the peace accord, nobody is running away from his responsibility, rather we are pointing to Nigerians that there is something cooking by this APC led administration under the watch of police that are being paid with tax payers money.
“We’ll defend votes with the “last drop our blood”.
“Secondly, we are going to participate. We will come out in mass, and we will defend our votes with our blood. Let them be very, very clear about that.
“We could not sign, we could not be part of that because we gave a condition, and it is their responsibility to make sure that these conditions are met where they arbitrary arrest the members of only one particular party. Then that means that there is something you do not know. So what piece are we going to sign for?”
The PDP chairman emphasized that the party will not compromise on its demands, and will continue to fight for a free and fair election in Edo State.
