With the Edo State governorship election just 10 days away, a group called Edo Movement for the Masses has cautioned the state police command against taking sides in the political process.
In a statement, the group’s leader, Eriki Johnson, urged the police to remain neutral and avoid arresting opposition politicians without valid reasons, warning that such actions could heighten tension in the state.
The group alleged that the police have been supporting the All Progressives Congress and ignoring “clear hoodlum activities” by its supporters, while harassing and arresting opposition politicians, according to Daily Post.
The Edo State Government has also reported the arrest and detention of 10 PDP members, including a local government chairman and state vigilante operatives, by the Nigeria Police.
The group emphasized that the police should serve the masses without regard to political affiliations.
“By the action of the police in the state so far, police is not neutral but supporting the APC in all ramifications,” the statement said.
According to the group, “clear hoodlum activities” perpetrated by supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are not attended to by the Police “but those going about their lawful campaign are being harassed and arrested”.
The group stressed that “Police is for the masses irrespective of political affiliations”.
