The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the redeployment of Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha ahead of the September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election.
The demand was made on behalf of the party by its Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, during a press conference.
The PDP also accused the APC of using violence and police harassment to manipulate the election.
Damagum alleged that 16 PDP members have been arrested on false charges with the complicity of local police.
The party also expressed concerns about Onuoha’s alleged partisan bias and demanded his immediate removal to ensure a fair and credible election.
The PDP also made six demands which are as follows;
1. The IGP must recognize his duty to the Nigerian people, the Constitution and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo State and the entire nation.
2. The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
3. The IGP should immediately release all members of the PDP being detained by the Police.
4. The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of the Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
5. The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment.
6. This is not only to guarantee a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avert the ugly scenario witnessed in the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election where a biased Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of the agitated electorate.
Recall that Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, had raised alarms over an impending crisis in the upcoming governorship election, scheduled for September 21, 2024.
Obaseki accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and elements within the Nigeria Police Force of colluding to intimidate, arrest, and kidnap key members of the PDP in a bid to weaken the party’s chances in the forthcoming poll.
In a statement personally signed by the governor, he revealed that more than ten PDP chieftains have been unlawfully detained in the past few weeks, with many held in secret locations.
