Benin, Edo – The Edo state chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC) has called on governor Godwin Obaseki to allow the police carry out their constitutional duties without any form of blackmail following investigation into the murder of Inspector Onu Akor, security aide to the APC governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo.

Kassim Afegbua, spokesperson for the Edo APC governorship campaign made the call in a statement Wednesday, in the wake of allegations by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that APC leaders orchestrated police harassment, unlawful arrests, and detention of their members.

According to Afegbua in the statement, the police is saddled with the responsibility to secure lives and properties especially before, during and after the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21 hence the APC find the PDP allegations ridiculous.

Afegbua stated that thugs loyal to the PDP attacked some APC supporters and destroyed campaign materials after their rally at Ewohimi in Edo central senatorial district on Tuesday, maintaining the APC is law abiding and will not be distracted.

"Those attempting to blackmail the Nigeria Police for carrying out its statutory responsibility had better retraced their steps and instead, submit themselves to the Nigeria Police for interrogation. Only yesterday, another set of Governor obASUEki thugs disrupted and attacked our followers after a successful campaign in Ewohimi, destroyed campaign materials and threatened to kill our supporters. This is their peculiar style of trying to intimidate our supporters but as law abiding party coasting home to victory, we will not allow this type of harassment to distract us.

"The Nigeria Police has a responsibility to ensure the right and secured environment exists for a peaceful conduct of the September 21st election. What the Nigeria Police is doing is to create the enabling and peaceful environment for a hitch-free conduct of the election without let or hindrance. We find it curious therefore that whilst the PDP and the Governor are busy threatening the peace and tranquility of the state through the dubious activities of the Edo Security Network, they are complaining of the activities of the Nigeria Police that is vested with the statutory responsibility of ensuring proper atmosphere for elections to take place. We find the blackmail motive very laughable and ridiculous.", The statement partly read

The former Edo commissioner called on the police to disband the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), and stick with "legitimate" security agents as Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Service (DSS) to enable a level playing field for all parties in the election