– The Edo state chapter of the PDP has urged the judiciary in the state, the police and the civil service not to allow APC to use them against its members in the build-up to the September 10 gubernatorial election
– Alleges that the APC is planning a mass arrest of PDP leaders across the 18 local government areas by the state police command
– Describes the order of the APC as a dastardly plan against the people who conduct themselves within the boundaries of the law
The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to use the police and the judiciary to take many of its prominent leaders out of circulation before the election and release them thereafter when the election must have been concluded.
READ ALSO: PDP is dead in Edo state – Oyegun
The party, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, has therefore urged the judiciary in the state, the police and the civil service not to allow APC to use them against its members in the build-up to the September 10 gubernatorial election, Tribune reports.
The PDP alleged that in the last couple of weeks, it has gotten information that the APC led administration held a meeting with all directors and permanent secretaries in the employ of the Edo state government, and intimated them that there is going to be mass arrest of PDP leaders across the 18 local government areas by the state police command.
The PDP said: “The directors and permanent secretaries in the employ of the state government were warned not to stand as surety for anyone so arrested and charged to court.”
“As we continue to exercise restraint and maintain peace in the face of tyranny and assault in the hands of compromised officers of the law, we want to put all lovers of democracy, the international community, especially the British High Commission, the American Embassy, the European Union, civil society organisations and election monitoring committee on notice that the arbitrary arrests and demonic detention of our members is an invitation to anarchy and a threat to democracy.”
READ ALSO: Edo election: Monarch threatens voters over APC candidate
The party called on all responsible individuals and institutions to join in condemning the unlawful order of the APC.
It labeled the actions of the Edo state government as a dastardly plan against the people who conduct themselves within the boundaries of the law.
Meanwhile, ahead of the September 10 governorship election billed for Edo state, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has concluded plans to deploy helicopters and 200 vehicles to monitor the election.
According to the acting Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, the helicopters will provide aerial surveillance during the election, while the vehicles will logistics for Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel, as well as marine police.
Idris made the disclosure yesterday, September 31 at the NPF headquarters in Abuja, during a meeting with senior police officers.
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