Edo govt accuses APC of arresting, detaining PDP leaders, members

• ALGON condemns assault on LG chairman, demands release
• Okpebholo promises to tackle Auchi erosion within 100 days

The Edo State Government, yesterday, raised the alarm that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is targeting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the state, adding that over 10 PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Council, are being kept in a dungeon on APC orders.

Briefing newsmen in Benin, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation called on security agencies to halt the continuous arrest of Edo PDP leaders and supporters ahead of the governorship election.

Nehikhare said that no amount of intimidation will make the APC win the September 21 governorship election.

He said: “Some of our members have been in detention for the past two months without being charged to court. ”

Nehikhare urged the APC and its cohorts to tell the Edo people why they were intimidating and arresting PDP members. “Let the APC explain to us where our members and leaders are. Why have they not been charged in court since their arrest?”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria  (ALGON), Newman Ugiagbe, yesterday, condemned the assault and arrest of their colleague and Chairman of Esan West Local Council,  Collins Aigbogun.

Ugiagbe said that the assault and arrest of Aigbogun was a clear violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.

He said: “ALGON urgently calls on relevant security agencies, including the Attorney General and Commissioner of Police, Edo State, and Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 5, to take immediate action in investigating and bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.

MEANWHILE, the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, assured the people of Etsako West Local Council that his administration will pay attention to the erosion problem in Auchi within 100 days of his administration if elected.

Okpebholo also assured the people of Agbede that he would initiate the construction of Agbede/ Uwareke Road within a few months of his administration.

The Edo governorship hopeful remarked while speaking at the ward-to-ward campaign in Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West Local Council.

Okpebholo also informed the people that he would continue from where Adams Oshiomhole stopped if he emerged as governor by September 21, assuring the people that he would right all the wrongs of the Godwin Obaseki government since 2016.