…PDP Demands Level Playing Field …Police Assures Its Neutrality As the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State approaches, concerns have been raised and growing over the recurring tendency of electoral violence during the electioneering campaigns and on election day. Of recent, there have been continuous clashes between the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
…PDP Demands Level Playing Field
…Police Assures Its Neutrality
As the off-cycle governorship election in Edo State approaches, concerns have been raised and growing over the recurring tendency of electoral violence during the electioneering campaigns and on election day. Of recent, there have been continuous clashes between the supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The latest happened on Saturday in Uhumwara, Owan West Local Government Area of the state, leading to injuries to several persons, including a pregnant woman and, a seven-month-old baby who sustained various degrees of injuries.
This is just one incident of electoral violence witnessed during the electioneering period when elections are approaching at the national and sub-national levels, in which off-cycle elections are not exempted. Edo has recorded several since the campaigns started.
Though not unprecedented, Edo State has experienced electoral violence in the past few political cycles. The state experienced several cases of violence in past election cycles, which often resulted in physical attacks, intimidation, and property destruction. Due to this, stakeholders have always appealed to avert violence before, during, and after the election, but this persists.
Conducting a violence-free election is a huge challenge to the electoral commission, as the electoral body and the government are challenged on how to deal with this hydra-headed problem. It is more of a security situation which is outside the control of the INEC. And the perpetrators of chaos are always a step ahead in their mission to sabotage the electoral process during the elections.
In Edo State, the longstanding rivalry between the ruling party, PDP, and the APC has bred uncertainty and anxiety, giving the political observers both local and international a mixed-feelings on whether the political parties’ supporters would embrace peace during the polls. Also, the introduction of a strong third force, which is the Labour Party, in the race could even spark more competition in the upcoming election.
The implication of electoral violence has always been immense, especially when some anti-state actors are given the leeway to operate without a curbing mechanism by the security agencies. As a result, political pundits have opined that if security agencies do not act quickly, electoral violence may undermine the democratic process by jeopardising the integrity of the elections. When voters are intimidated by violent elements to rig elections, it may lead to voter apathy in the state and, as a result, cause the public to question the legitimacy of the elections, a development that can reduce the expected trust in the electioneering process.
Electoral violence could raise doubts about law enforcement’s response, undermining citizens’ trust in the state’s ability to protect them and uphold justice. Consequently, conducting a violence-free election is a litmus test for the security agencies in the country, as fingers are crossed on how they can diffuse the growing tension in Edo state. The police, who are the central organising unit of the security apparatus, are also under scrutiny for their potential and ability to diffuse the growing tension from different angles.
PDP Demands Level Playing Field for All Parties
The Nigeria Police Force has been called upon to end all forms of harassment, intimidation, and outright victimisation of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and allow for a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
In a statement on Wednesday by Team Asue Media Organization (TAMO) in Benin City, expressed disappointment at the uneven handedness of the Nigeria Police in the state which is skewed against the PDP. In the last two months, leaders and chieftains of the party have expressed their concern about the overt partisanship of the Police Force but there has been no assurance from the Police to the party hierarchy.
“Not long ago, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director- -General Asue/ Ogie Campaign Management Council, raised the alarm at a press conference in Benin City in which he detailed what the party has suffered in terms of arrest, harassment, and intimidation of members. Curiously, there has been no move to address the party’s complaints.
“Mr Iduoriyekemwen listed some of the arrested chieftains of the party including Mr Amos Tom and Kingsley Osahon, the Councillor representing Ward 10 in Esan North East Local Government Area. He also alleged that the whereabouts of several other members of the PDP are currently unknown.
“He made it clear that intel at the party’s disposal showed that a list of prominent PDP chieftains from across the state’s three senatorial districts had been compiled and even fake court warrants of arrest with names of PDP members had been procured all in a bid to weaken the PDP ahead of the forthcoming election.
“Some of the names believed to be on the list include, Chief Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief B. Olukoga, Mr Festus Osaigbovo, Dr. Kelly Inedegbor, the Chairman of Esan North East Local Government Area, among others whose identities have yet to be confirmed.”
The PDP considered this development by a supposed national Police Force, brazenly taking sides with a political party in an electoral contest as rather unfortunate. It noted that while the PDP has been campaigning diligently, moving from ward to ward and local government to local government actively engaging the people across various platforms, and articulating its programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State, the opposition parties are attempting to weaponize the police against the people.
It called on the Police Force not to allow themselves to be used in giving meaning to the boast by the opposition to deploy federal might to win the election. It insisted that the Police Force should provide a level playing field. It equally emphasised the need to bring to justice all the thugs that were captured in various amateur videos causing mayhem in Benin City on July 18, the day former Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, accompanied by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC, Monday Okpebholo, came to Benin purportedly to assume duty following a Federal High Court judgment.
Edo Police Command Reacts
Speaking with NDR on its preparation for the election, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Joel Yamu, highlighted the force’s plans to curtail security threats before, during, and after the election.
“We have set a lot of activities in motion, like training our men on election duties and their responsibilities before, during, and after the elections. We are also partnering with a lot of relevant organisations. On the operational, based on the threat analysis we have gathered, we have set our eyes on the flashpoints, and necessary deployments are being made in that regard.
“On different allegations that the police are not neutral, we are in Nigeria, and it is a normal thing for parties to make allegations during the elections. Even during the general election, you can bear witness that there were several allegations that the police were doing this for Party A and Party B.
“But I can assure you that the police here in Edo is very neutral, and of course, we know we are not partisan. The commissioner of police, since he resumed office, has been on his toes and has made sure that the DPOs, the area commanders, and the tactical commanders and he has given them marching orders not to allow any violence in their jurisdictions”.
