By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, on Sunday accused the Nigerian Police of alleged selective justice in handling matters arising from Edo in the build-up to the Sept. 21 governorship election.
Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the state Chairman of PDP, made the accusations while briefing newsmen in Benin on happenings in the Edo political terrain.
Aziegbemi stated that the Police allegedly acted in a manner that suggested that they preferred to attend to issues raised by the APC and disregarded complaints by other actors in the polity.
“We would like to make reference to certain issues that have led us to this troubling juncture, seeing that the Police are critical stakeholders in the conduct of the elections.
“Firstly, a few weeks ago, the Deputy Director General, Media and Publicity for the PDP Campaign Council , Rev. Olu Martins, was invited and arrested by the Police based on a petition against him.
“Martins was subsequently arraigned in court and granted bail after meeting the necessary bail conditions set by the trial judge. The case was subsequently adjourned.
“Conversely, as the chairman of the PDP in Edo , I wrote a petition over comments by the chairman of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC),
“Where he threatened to mobilize and lead youths to stone the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, which is clearly a recipe for violence and chaos in the state.
“Given the sensitivity of the office of the governor, a video evidence of this threat and an accompanying petition was submitted to the Commissioner of Police in Edo,” he said.
According to him, surprisingly, no action has been taken on the matter since the petition was submitted, unlike the swift manner in which the Police responded to the petition against Martins.
He noted that a petition with video evidence was again submitted to the Commissioner of Police in Edo, concerning the July 18 Benin airport mayhem that claimed the life of a police officer.
“Unfortunately and predictably, the Police Commissioner has failed to act on this petition and none of the gun-wielding touts and suspected culprits have been arrested,” he added.
He alleged that the police have rather deployed a tactical team of policemen to arrest and harass at least 22 members and leaders of the PDP in Edo.
“We would like to stress that the Police are funded with taxpayers’ money and are obligated to act in a manner that ensures everyone has equal and unhindered access to justice.”
He called on the Inspector General of Police to use his good office and formations to ensure that the actual criminals were brought to book.
According to him, they must uphold and be seen to uphold the rule of law because Nigeria belongs to all of us.
Reacting to the accusations, the state Police Commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, said, “I do not know what they meant by selective justice. Let me save your time; the case has been transferred to Abuja.
“Whatever observations or comments anybody has should be directed to Abuja,” Adegboye said.(NAN)
