The Edo State Government, on Tuesday, sounded the alarm over the arrest of several leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging security agencies to intervene and stop what it described as politically motivated detentions.
Chris Nehikhare, the state’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, issued a statement addressing the situation. He alleged that the arrests were being orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of targeting PDP leaders in a calculated move ahead of the state’s upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
Nehikhare revealed that over 10 PDP leaders, including Collins Aigbogun, Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, had been detained and were being held in undisclosed locations, allegedly under the directive of the APC. He condemned the arrests, describing them as a form of political intimidation aimed at weakening the PDP’s chances in the election.
The commissioner called upon security agencies to halt the continued targeting of PDP leaders and their supporters in the state, stressing that no level of intimidation or harassment would sway the electoral outcome in favor of the APC.
Nehikhare further mentioned plans by PDP-governed states to delay the reopening of schools in support of a nationwide protest, adding that the PDP remains confident despite these aggressive tactics employed by the opposition.
