Supernumerary Chief Superintendent of Police, Blessing Agbomhere, has issued an apology to Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, following his arrest for making political statements while in uniform.

Agbomhere, who also serves as the South-South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was detained on Wednesday for inciting residents of Edo State against the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo. His comments came just days before the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21.

In a statement released after his detention, Agbomhere expressed regret for his actions, attributing them to what he termed the “abuse of power and misgovernance” by Governor Godwin Obaseki and Ighodalo.

“I write to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Police and the Inspector General of Police over my inappropriate conduct in addressing the press on the forthcoming September 21 Edo Governorship election while dressed in the police uniform, which allegedly embarrassed the high command of the Force,” Agbomhere said.

He clarified that while his statements were his personal opinions and not those of the Nigeria Police, he regretted the embarrassment caused.

“As a lawyer, journalist, pro-democracy campaigner, and human rights crusader, I am pained by the increasing assault on the sanctity of our democracy and human rights by the Obaseki-led government,” he added.

Agbomhere’s comments, which went viral, included accusations of financial misconduct against Obaseki and criticism of Ighodalo’s refusal to sign a peace accord.

He noted that he momentarily forgot he was in uniform during the interview.