By Mario Deepromoter
The Integrity Youth Alliance, an organisation that has been monitoring the development trends in the Nigeria Police Force for over 15 years, has said that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, is a man who respects human rights and the rule of law and therefore cannot clampdown on “political opposition” in Edo State.
Reacting to allegations by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the People’s Democratic Party and Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation that “PDP faithful have been arrested without charge” on the order of the IGP, the Secretary General of the Alliance, Danjuma Lamido, said that the allegations are mere phantom accusations.
“IGP Egbetokun, as a PhD holder of peace studies, will never order the arrest, intimidation, and harassment of members and supporters of the People’s Democratic Party unjustly.
‘All his actions as the IGP have been in line with his administration’s policy to bequeath to Nigerians a police force that is rule of law compliant and underscored the paramount importance of service delivery and upholding the rule of law within the Nigeria Police Force.
“Election is not a war, and the IGP has said on several occasions that anyone seen with arms before, during and after the election would be treated as a criminal.
“Similarly, the IGP warned that supporters of candidates in the Edo election to behave themselves as anyone who comes out to disrupt the election will be dealt with.
“The Nigeria Police won’t detain those allegedly arrested unjustly for more than 24 hours, while those found wanting must have been detained on court order.
“The Nigeria Police will never take anti-democratic actions but rather reaffirm this administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.
“The Nigeria Police will continue to ensure that all political actors feel safe exercising their freedoms in the run-up to the polls, the statement said.