Centre. Newman Ugiagbe. On his right, NUJ State Chai, Comrade Festus Alenkhe flanked by exco members during the press briefing
* Allegation is not true says APC
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
Barely 11 days away to the September 21 Governorship election in Edo State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again raised the alarm alleging the All Progressives Congress (APC) induced unwarranted arrest of its members, by the police.
On Tuesday, 10 September, 2024 in Benin, the State Capital, the Party’s Local Government Council Chairmen led a group of placard carrying protesters to the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to register their displeasure calling for a restraint.
Newman Ugiagbe, Orhiomwon Local Government Council Chairman who is the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government Council of Nigeria (ALGON), accompanied by other Chairmen addressed the Press.
He said the Party is particularly concerned about the incident that happened in Esan-West Local Government Council Area, about three days earlier; alleging the APC attacked and inflicted body injuries on the Chairman, Collins Aigbogun.
The incident he said was lodged at the Police Command in Ekpoma but later transferred to the State Police headquarters in Benin, on Monday.
Aigbogun was refused bail and at about 4:55a.m in the early hours of Tuesday, he was taken to Abuja by a special squad of the police; IRT, he said.
“…To our greatest surprise, at about 4:55a.m, he was taken away to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja by a special squad of the police: ‘IRT’.
“They have been in the State for several weeks now, going after opposition party members.
“They started with a series of arrest of members of our party and now it is we; the Chief Security Officers of the various Local Government Councils.
“The Edo State Chapter of ALGON strongly condemned the recent assault on the Esan-West Local Government Council Area Chairman, Hon. Collins Aigbogun.”
This blatant act of violence is a clear violation of the guiding principles of the rule of law in a democracy, he held.
“It is disheartening to note that instead of engaging in a peaceful campaign, the APC appears to be resorting to violence and intimidation tactics; including unwarranted attacks, on PDP members.
“This must be stopped to avoid further harm and ensure a free, fair and peaceful election in the State,” he sued.
Asserting that ALGON stands for the promotion of peace, the rule of law and democracy; the body called on stakeholders, security agencies, and the political parties to work in harmony to safeguard the rights and safety of all citizens, during and after this critical period and urged that the police should prioritise the investigation of the alleged assault and hold accountable, the culprits.
“Violence has no place in our democratic society and we must all strive to uphold the principles of justice and equity for the benefit of all.”
Continuing, the body demanded the immediate release of Aigbogun who it said was the complainant but now made a suspect by the police.
It added; “the CP said instructions are always from the top and it has nothing to do with him, that he met Edo the way it is; about all these crises that are happening and unjust arrest and that there is nothing he can do.”
Warning that ALGON will no longer tolerate what it termed: “intimidation and injustice being perpetrated by some elements of the APC”, the body appealed to the national Leadership of ALGON to help liaise with the Inspector General of Police, to bring to an end “this injustice the Police is doing to Edo people especially members of the PDP.”
They also called on all the relevant security agencies particularly the Inspector General of Police, to immediately investigate the incident and bring to justice, culprits.
Reacting, the Governor, Godwin Obaseki also frowned at what he called unconstitutional arrest by the police.
The police are supposed to protect every citizen and not some people; adding that he was surprised at the transfer of Aigbogun to Abuja.
“I am the Chief Security Officer of Edo State. If any person commits a crime in Edo, he should be arrested and tried in the State.”
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Edo Command, Nemi Edwin-Iwo said; Truly, Aigbogun was brought to the State Police headquarters and it was discovered that he has other criminal matters against him before now, hence he was taken to Abuja for further investigation.
The CP assured that the State Command is working hard to create an enabling environment for free, fair and peaceful election; a situation voters can cast their ballot without any form of molestation.
While he warned; that non State actors are not expected to go about on the election day, carrying arms.
APC reaction
The All Progressives Congress (APC) through its State Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae Enosorogbe Igbinigie Esq denied being the mastermind of police arrest of members of the PDP.
According to him, if the police find reason to arrest the Chairman of the Esan-West Council, the APC should not be held responsible for that.
The police are constitutionally empowered to do what they are doing and are only answerable to the Inspector General of Police and not the State Governor.
He noted, that several criminal acts have happened in that Local Government Council Area which could be the reason for the arrest of the Chairman as the supposed Chief Security Officer.
While ALGON he said, should rather be worried about the steady up swing of crime and criminality across the State under the Governor Godwin Obaseki led PDP administration instead of accusing the APC for its woes.
If the PDP would not abstain from crime and criminality, the police would continue to arrest its members, he maintained.
Adding; that there was no point for the PDP trying to whip up political sentiments in the operations of the police; against the APC because of election.
About Author
