The Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) has demanded the immediate redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC),
Anugbum Onuoha, ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial contest.
The PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, made the demand, at a press briefing, earlier today (Thursday, September 12) after a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee ( NWC).
Damagum said this is because the opposition party has lost confidence in the duo to be neutral in the governorship contest.
Nevertheless, the party chairman added that no matter the situation, the PDP will participate in the governorship, vowing that members of the party will defend their votes with their blood.
According to him, “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.”
Damagum added “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 national chairman, while reacting to the refusal of the party to sign the Peace Accord, said there was something suspicious about the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC)..
“So, as regards the signing of the peace accord, nobody is shirking responsibility; rather, we are pointing out to Nigerians that there is something suspicious under this APC-led administration, with police being paid with taxpayers’ money.
“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 or be part of it because we gave a condition, and it is their responsibility to ensure that these conditions are met.
“If they arbitrarily arrest members of only one particular party, then that means there is something you do not know. So, what peace are we signing for?” he quipped.
