BY Janefrances Chibundu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the release of its party members arrested during the governorship election in Edo state.
In a statement on Saturday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP national publicity secretary, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to “intimidate and suppress” the will of Edo people.
The PDP spokesperson urged voters in the state to remain resilient and defend their democratic rights at the various polling units.
TheCable had reported that two party agents — one of whom was identified as a PDP member — were arrested by the police before the commencement of the election.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demands for the immediate and unconditional release of voters, including PDP members and supporters who were illegally arrested by @OfficialAPCNg-ccompromised security operatives while peacefully queuing to vote in the on-going governorship election in Edo state,” the statement reads.
“The PDP states that this is part of APC coordinated plot in connivance with certain compromised police officials to harass, intimidate, and suppress the people of Edo state having realized that it has lost the poll.
“The APC and their compromised police personnel should know that the game is up and that the people of Edo state will never be cowed to surrender in the face of aggression or terror. They have rejected the APC and nothing will make them change this resolve.
“The PDP charges the people of Edo state to remain resilient and continue to defend their democratic rights, votes and ultimate victory at the poll.”
Earlier, Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate of the PDP, alleged that police operatives were intimidating voters during the election.
Ighodalo, who spoke on Saturday at ward 1, PU 3, in Ewohimi, Esan south-east LGA, where he cast his ballot, alleged that one of the PDP’s supporters was arrested by police while attempting to vote.
“One of our supporters was arrested by men in mufti carrying guns. Nobody should carry a gun to a polling unit; that’s against the law and regulation,” he said.
“But you just see people misbehaving, oppressing, and trying to intimidate our voters. We won’t be intimidated and oppressed.
“How come it is only PDP supporters that are being arrested? Every day, you see APC supporters doing the worst things imaginable; nobody arrests them, nobody even investigates them.
“The authorities should create a free and fair level playing field. It is getting too much, particularly from the police force or people that claim to be policemen. If policemen want to be politicians, they should retire.”
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