8th April, 2011
Controversy has continued to trail the allegation of partisanship against soldiers by Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole during the postponed National Assembly elections.
Oshiomhole had told a news conference in Benin on Tuesday that soldiers deployed to Edo for the elections worked for PDP.
He said that the 41 persons arrested in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area, for alleged electoral offences, were framed up as they were innocent, and many of them ACN members.
But the Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in a statement condemned the governor for defending thugs.
The group in the statement signed by its State Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, commended the soldiers for promptly arresting the mischief makers.
It urged the soldiers, who would be deployed for electoral duties in the forthcoming elections, not to be disturbed by the governor’s comments.
The CRPP said that the security agencies should be firm and ensure adequate security for voters.
It appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to thoroughly investigate the 41 persons arrested by the soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Edo chapter of National Conscience Party (NCP) has urged the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the activities of his men deployed to Edo for the postponed National Assembly elections.
The NCP Chairman, Mr. Victor Ogba, alleged that the 41 persons arrested at Otuo on the postponed election day were tortured.
He said that those arrested openly displayed their identities as members of “ Owan Local Government Neighbourhood Watchâ€.
The party wondered what electoral offence the arrested persons committed when the elections did not take place.