Edo 2024: Halt planned mass arrest, arbitrary detention of political opposition
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Police authorities must urgently halt the planned mass arrests and arbitrary detention of opposition party members, especially the Peoples Democratic Party, the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has warned.
The Coalition said on Friday that reports of intimidation and harassment of opposition members in Edo state has intensified ahead of the September 21st governorship election.
Recall that the police had arrested Mr. Amos Tom, Kingsley Osahon, among others, while Odion Olaye, Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Chief Olukoga, Festus Osaigbovo, Kelly Inedegbor, were allegedly penciled down for arrest, it was learnt.
In a statement by the South West Regional Coordinator of the Coalition, Alh. Azeez Olorunimbe said, “there are report of a planned mass arrest and arbitrary detention of persons sympathetic to the opposition party in Edo state by the Nigerian Police and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is a deeply worrying sign as Edo people prepare for the election in September 21st.
“The Nigerian Police authorities must urgently halt this plot, if true and respect people’s rights to freedom of expression and association”, said Olorunimbe.
For those already in detention, the Coalition called for their immediate release. According to the statement, “The Nigerian Police authorities must urgently release all those detained or charge them with a recognisable offence in line with the Nigerian constitution and international human rights law and standards, such as informing detainees of the reasons for their arrest, presenting them promptly before a court of law and granting access to legal counsel”, Olorunimbe added.
