The Edo State Government has raised concerns over the arrest of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being behind the arrests. The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, claimed that over 10 PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, are being held in detention on APC’s orders.
Nehikhare called on security agencies to halt the arrest of PDP leaders and supporters ahead of the September 21 governorship election. He alleged that the APC is trying to intimidate and harass PDP members to win the election.
However, the Media Director of the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kazeem Afegbua, denied the allegations, accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of planning to “burn down Nigeria”. Afegbua claimed that Obaseki’s government is shielding individuals complicit in the killing of a police inspector and orchestrating frustrations against the APC.
The accusations come ahead of the governorship election, with both parties trading allegations of intimidation and harassment. The situation highlights the tense political climate in Edo State, with concerns about the potential for violence and electoral malpractices.
