Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed doubts about signing the Peace Accord ahead of the September 21 governorship poll.
He alleged that the Nigerian Police are biased towards the All Progressives Congress, APC, and are waging a war against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Obaseki made these claims during a courtesy visit from Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee, at the Government House in Benin City.
The governor accused the police of arresting at least 10 PDP chieftains, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun.
Obaseki claimed that the police ignored his request to follow due process and handle the case within the state’s jurisdiction.
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He felt that his authority as Chief Security Officer of the state was being undermined.
Obaseki questioned the possibility of signing a peace accord with an enforcement body that has shown bias towards one party.
He said, “You are very conversant with the politics of Edo State. You were here in 2020, and we had a very heated election. You know this is an off-cycle election, and there is a lot of attention.
“Unlike 2020, I am very worried about the developments in the state today. The party met yesterday, and we may not sign this agreement. This is the first time we are witnessing that the entity supposed to maintain and enforce the peace accord is now actively creating a destructive environment.
“The opposition party in the state, the APC, has always argued that they may not be as popular and didn’t win in the last election, but they have promised to use federal power to determine the outcome of this election.
“We thought it was just rhetoric, but in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed police gangs have entered Edo State to invade, arrest, and take away PDP members.
“As we speak, 10 PDP members are arrested and detained in Abuja without trial. Two days ago, they arrested a local government chairman. The chairman was heading home when he was attacked and shot at. We reported the incident, and the police asked him to provide evidence. He complied, but instead of investigating, they arrested him. As I speak, he is in Abuja.
“Even if an offence has been committed in Edo State, why not charge them and try the case here? Why take them to Abuja? Are these crimes high treason? Why not bring them to court here?
“The IGP’s office issued a warrant to arrest 60 PDP supporters, driving all our leaders into hiding. My role as the Chief Security Officer of the state is being undermined by the IGP. When I hear of an arrest and contact the Commissioner of Police, I am told the individual has been moved to Abuja.
Obaseki’s concerns cast doubt on the signing of the Peace Accord, scheduled for September 12, 2024.
