The Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council has accused the Nigeria Police Force of harassment, unlawful arrest, and kidnapping of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in Edo State, allegedly to weaken the party ahead of the September 21st governorship election. Speaking at a press conference in Benin City, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, claimed that officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, led by CSP Ibrahim Angbasa, are acting outside the scope of their duties. He alleged that these officers, believed to be compromised by the All Progressives Congress (APC), are using intimidation tactics, including carrying AK-47 rifles and moving in unmarked vehicles, to target PDP members across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Iduoriyekemwen further alleged that the officers are part of a broader plan to arrest prominent PDP figures using fake court warrants, with the intent of undermining the PDP’s chances in the upcoming election. He called on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to intervene and stop these alleged illegal actions to prevent unrest in the state.
In response, the APC’s Edo Governorship Campaign Council dismissed the allegations, accusing the PDP of resorting to propaganda due to their failure to mount a coherent campaign strategy. The APC also accused the PDP of escalating violence in the state and called for cooperation with law enforcement agencies in investigating crimes allegedly committed by PDP members.
