Edo APC Chairman Petitions IG, Accuses Governor Obaseki of Intimidation and Harassment
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State chapter, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of using his executive powers to intimidate and harass the opposition in the state.
In the petition, Tenebe called for the immediate intervention of the Inspector General of Police, citing the critical period of electioneering. He stated that the governor has threatened to “deal mercilessly” with anyone who opposes his policies.
The APC chairman provided a specific example of the governor’s alleged harassment, mentioning that the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, acting under the governor’s orders, invited him to appear over a petition filed by Mr. Obaseki.
Tenebe views this as a politically motivated attempt to arrest him and disrupt the inauguration of the APC’s campaign council scheduled for today, Friday, 14th June 2024.
He reported that the police have already delivered this invitation to the APC secretariat in his absence and suggested that there are plans to lay siege to the secretariat to facilitate his arrest.
Arguing that these actions are intended to intimidate and silence the opposition, thereby scoring political points for the governor, he said the governor plans to employ even unofficial security forces to carry out his threats.
In his letter, Tenebe called on the Inspector General of Police to transfer the case to his office for an impartial investigation, emphasizing the need for justice and protection against what he describes as unwarranted harassment.
The letter has also been copied to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations and the urgent need for intervention.
This development comes on the heels of allegations of criminal activities by the Edo State Security Network during the concluded INEC’s CVR centers, where armed individuals prevented citizens from discharging their civic responsibilities.
The APC, however, reassures the people of Edo State that the plan to rescue the state is on track and no amount of intimidation and use of baseless allegations will deter the party from returning the state to a path of tangible and measurable greatness.