Edo PDP Accuses Police Command Over Alleged Political Partisanship

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday accused the Edo State Police Command over alleged political partisanship saying its members were been arrested, harassed and intimidated after the political violence that erupted penultimate week Thursday in the state.

Briefing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State capital, Edo Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Anthony Aziegbemi called
on the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to use his good offices and formations to ensure that the actual criminals are brought to book as against the innocent members of society being accused unjustly.

Aziegbemi said the Police, from their actions and inactions in the wake of the developments in Edo State, appeared to be acting a script in selective justice, preferring and nitpicking the petitions over which it acts, preferring rather to be better disposed to attention to petitions raised by the APC.

He said, “In the build-up to the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21, it has become necessary to draw the attention of the general publuc to the trait of actions that pertains to selective justice being witnessed in the operations of the Nigeria Police Force at the State and National levels, in handling matters arising from Edo State.

“We have witnessed different instances in which the Police has acted in manners that suggest that they are a wing of the All Progressives Congress, preferring to rather attend to issues raised by APC and its agents and disregarding complaints by other actors in the polity, which portend an ominous sign as we approach the election in Edo State barely two months away.

“We will like to make reference to certain issues that have ted us to this troubling juncture, seeing that the Police are critical stakeholders in ensuring a level playing fleld for the conduct of the elections. “

Aziegbemi added that, “While the police are being used to harass, terrorize end intimidate our party (PDP) members. The Inspector General of Police is called upon to safeguard and uphold democracy within the state. They must uphold and be seen to uphold the Rule of Law. Nigeria belongs to all of us and the right of membership of associations is guaranteed by the Constitution.”