Nigerian Police And The Brazen Show Of Absurdity In Edo State
Ahead of the 2024 Edo Governorship Elections, it seems the Edo State command of the Nigerian Police has finally thrown all caution and professionalism to the wind in order to team up with the APC publicly against the PDP in the State.
In a shocking and bizarre viral video in circulation, a Nigerian Police officer fully dressed in uniform was seen making a statement flanked by APC supporters wearing “MODEN” branded caps (an acronym for Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa). It is also instructive to note that the Police officer was making the statement using a microphone crested with the logo of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
Recently, there has been a gale of arrests and harassment of notable PDP leaders and members across the State including Kingsley Osahon, a serving PDP LG Councilor. Other leaders including Odion Bright and Timothy Isibor have also been arrested in similar circumstances and whisked to Abuja.
The latest in this onslaught is the arrest of a Local Government Chairman Collins Aigbogun of Esan West LGA Chairman after he was thoroughly beaten and assaulted and whisked to Abuja in bandage. This has sparked off protests across the State
As if that was not enough, a Police officer came out publicly to campaign for APC while threatening victimization and witch hunt of Governor Obaseki and PDP Candidate, Asue Ighodalo against whom he made baseless and unfounded allegations.
It is the height of lawlessness, incongruity, unprofessionalism and impunity that a serving Policeman will openly become the mouthpiece of a political party while on uniform and in active service. This kind of audacity has never been witnessed in the history of Nigeria since the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914.
When these unsavoury and unpleasant developments are placed in the context of a viral video in which the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to return Edo State to APC, one begins to wonder whether an “order from above” script is already playing out before our eyes.
The Nigerian Police is the most crucial Security agency associated with the conduct of elections and the bare minimum expected from them is neutrality.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun should came out to tell the world what is happening in Edo State. He should also immediately order a full investigation into the circumstances of this ugly incident and ensure that appropriate sanctions are meted out where necessary.
It is absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable that this is happening in a democracy barely 12 days to a very important Election.
This connivance in the quest to impose an incompetent and dumb Candidate on Edo people by force and even recruiting a police officer into the campaign of falsehood and deceit by the APC must be firmly and emphatically rejected by Edo people.
Clinton Osawe
Citi Newsroom
Benin City
