The Edo State Government has alleged that members of the governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who were arrested following the recent incident at Benin Airport where a police officer was murdered were deliberately being kept in the dungeon to be out of circulation during the crucial governorship election scheduled for next week Saturday.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare made the allegation while briefing reporters yesterday in Benin. He said over 10 PDP leaders, including the chairman of Esan West Local Government Council, were being detained.
Nehikhare called on security agencies to halt the incessant arrest of PDP leaders and supporters ahead of the election, to be contested by candidates of 17 political parties.
A security source who spoke in confidence maintained that the persons arrested, detained and being investigated had to do with the murder, through gunshots, on July 18, 2024, at the exit gate of Benin Airport of police Inspector Onuh Akoh of No. 45, Police Mobile Force, Abuja.
The murdered Akoh was attached to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, who arrived from Abuja, in company with the reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.
The commissioner added, however, that no amount of intimidation would make the APC win the election.
He accused unnamed leaders of the APC of being behind the arrest of some of the chieftains and supporters of PDP across the state.
Nehikhare said: “Some of our members have been in detention for the past two months, without being charged to court. The APC and its cohorts should tell the Edo people why the intimidation and arrest of PDP members. APC’s leaders should explain to the Edo people where our members and leaders are. Why have they not been charged to court since their arrest?”
He said there was the need for a level playing field, for the off-season/cycle poll to be credible, free and fair.