By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Monday condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s alleged partisanship in Edo State, demanding neutrality ahead of the September 21 governorship polls.

The CSOs, under the aegis of the Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria, accused the police of arbitrarily arresting and detaining members of the Edo State Security Corps.

Briefing journalists on Monday in Abuja, Comrade Victor Kalu, National Coordinator, and Alh. Ali Abacha, National Secretary of the Network, urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure the immediate release of Amos Tom Uduhagene, Kingsley Osahon, and two others, who are staunch members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Concerns were raised over the police’s perceived bias, citing reports of planned arrests of prominent PDP and Labour Party members, including Hon. Destiny Enabulele, Hon. Kelvin Obaragie, and others.

The CSOs called on the President to ensure the non-interference of security forces in the Edo State governorship election.

The group stressed the importance of police neutrality, noting that the force’s professionalism and impartiality are crucial to the success of the polls.

According to the CSOs, Edo State citizens can choose their governor without coercion, and all stakeholders should prioritize peace and decorum.

They said, “The Nigeria Police Force is the lead security agency in the management of peace and security during elections and its professionalism and impartiality, before, during and after the elections goes a long way in determining the success or otherwise of our elections.

“However, If the Police Force is perceived to have taken sides with one of the parties to the elections, the electorate naturally resorts to self-help and such unprofessional conduct becomes a tonic to the breakdown of law and order in the society.

“We appeal to the Police to do everything to ensure neutrality and maintain professionalism as we count down to the Governorship polls.

“The task to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in our society.

“Edo State citizens are some of the most enlightened electorate in the country and should be allowed to freely and expressly exercise their rights to vote for a candidate of their choice, without let or hindrance.

“The President must ensure that there’s no interference in the upcoming Edo State Governorship election.

“Edo State citizens have the capacity and the requisite wisdom to choose a Governor of their choice without being forced.”