The tension over security concerns ahead of the September 21 Edo State governorship election escalated as Governor Godwin Obaseki and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Tony Aziegbemi clashed with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged police bias against the PDP.
IGP Egbetokun announced plans to deploy 35,000 police officers across Edo State for the election, supported by 8,000 personnel from other security agencies like the armed forces and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He made this statement during a stakeholder meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where INEC Chairman Professor Mahmud Yakubu shared that General Abdulsalami Abubakar would oversee the signing of a peace pact between political parties.
At the event, Egbetokun reiterated that all security measures would be in place, including withdrawing security aides from VIPs and monitoring entry and exit points in the state on election day.
He also emphasized that all election offenses would be strictly enforced.
However, Governor Obaseki expressed concerns about police neutrality, accusing them of favoring the All Progressives Congress (APC) and targeting PDP leaders.
He stated that 10 PDP members had been arrested, including a local government chairman, and taken to Abuja without following due process.
PDP Chairman Aziegbemi raised alarms about the deployment of officials linked to former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, arguing that their involvement compromised the election’s fairness.
Despite these concerns, IGP Egbetokun rejected the claims of bias, stating that the police were committed to ensuring a free and fair election.
Meanwhile, civil society groups called for the redeployment of the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) over concerns about impartiality.
