Posted on: 05:42 Mon, 05 Sep 2016



The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has alleged that state governor, Adams Oshiomhole has ordered the deployment of policemen in the government house to harass and arrest its members when the governorship election holds on September 10.

In statement released on Sunday by the party’s publicity secretary in Edo state, Chris O Nehikhare, the PDP called on the Assistant Inspector-general of Police in charge of the zone to inetrvene in what they termed the “unholy and unwarranted harassments of PDP leaders.”

“It has come to our knowledge, the arrangement of the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the deployment of police personnel attached to the Government House and other establishments of government in the harassment, intimidation and arrests of our party loyalists and supporters in the hope of breaking their resolve to lead the change of the oppressive ruling party on September 10.

“In view of the unconstitutionality of this wicked act, the PDP has instructed our members to resist henceforth all police arrests not backed by any relevant warrant of arrest.

“We want to again call on all lovers of peace and democracy to prevail on the governor and his party, the APC to tow the path of sportsmanship and decency in the contest for the office of the governor of Edo State which comes up in a few days.

“We call on the Nigerian Inspector-general of Police, the Assistant Inspector-general of Police in charge of Zone 5 to immediately intervene and find urgent ways to reverse this unholy and unwarranted harassments of PDP leaders.This call is necessary because there is a limit to the patience of PDP members and we cannot guarantee their reaction if these unprovoked arrests by Governor Oshiomhole’s men continue unchecked.

“We want to state that we should not be blamed for the breakdown of peace that may result from this attempt to deny law abiding citizens the freedom to make their choice and exercise their franchise.”