By DADA AYOKHAI
The state deputy chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Emperor Jarrett Tenebe has accused the Liaison officer of Etsako East LGA ,Paul Aronokhale of allegedly abusing his office by using security personnel to intimidate members of the opposition parties in the state specifically members of his party APC.
The Edo state governor Mr Godwin Obaseki recently appointed Liaison officers to manage the affairs of the local governments pending the conduct local government elections.
Tenebe accusation is contained in a press statement issued and personally signed by him and made available to the Press.
The deputy state chairman of the main opposition party in the state also accused the state government of allegedly giving directives to the security agencies particularly the police to clamped down on APC members in the state.
“It has come to our knowledge the directives of the Edo state government and leadership of the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party to the security agencies, particularly the Police, to without reasons, arrest some members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) across the state.
The spate of arrest of APC members according to Mr Tenebe is part of the responsibility handed over to the Liaison Officers by the state government.
Mr Tensbe specifically pointed an accusing fingers at Mr Paul Aronokhale, the Etsako East LGA Liaison Officer of allegedly carrying out the directives of the state government by moving around with men of the Nigerian Army in search of APC members to arrest.
He said “Paul Agbomere aka Holyman, a known ally of Philip Shaibu, the State Deputy Governor is parading the entire Etsako West LGA with men of the Nigeria Army in attempts to effect arrest.”
The statement read in part, “It should be noted that the APC is a law abiding institution poised to win the forthcoming election in a free and free contest”.
“However, we wish to state clearly and with sense of commitment that our hands shall not be folded while our members, on the prompting of the state government and opposition party(PDP), are arrested on frivolous and unfounded reasons.”
“We,therefore,call on the state commissioner of police and other security agencies to be highly circumspect,and exercise the highest level of professionalism and discretion in carrying out their duties as the forthcoming elections approach.
Edo state must not be thrown into turmoil and chaos.”
