Ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, the Nigeria Police has assured the public that its officers will conduct themselves with professionalism, impartiality, and objectivity.
This announcement comes in response to accusations made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Both Ighodalo and Obaseki accused the police of supporting Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, and claimed that the police had detained PDP members and sympathisers without disclosing their whereabouts.
The police, in their statement, reassured the public of their commitment to fairness and professionalism throughout the election process. They emphasized that their role is to ensure peace and security during the election and to act without bias.
“We are ready for the gubernatorial election in Edo State. Police will remain professional, impartial, and committed to providing adequate security for the electoral process.”
“All the parties, their candidates, electorates, and stakeholders in general will be protected. Let everyone play his role as provided for in EA 2022 and line with our responsibilities, and we will have it free, fair, and credible. There is no room for thuggery, hooliganism, and vandalism in any part of the state.”
“These are our promises. Peace be unto Edo people and Nigerians at large,” Adejobi wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has called for a retraction of the election rigging allegations made against him by Anthony Aziegbemi, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo.
In a statement dated September 14, Aziegbemi accused the federal government of planning to rig the upcoming Edo governorship election with Ribadu and the State Security Service’s involvement.
He alleged that Ribadu had provided $2 million to the APC governorship candidate as part of the scheme.
Ribadu’s legal team, Charles Musa & Co, has dismissed the accusation as “entirely false” and is demanding an immediate retraction.
