Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, says there is a plan to illegally arrest members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the state’s gubernatorial election.

The election has been fixed for September 21 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) and Asue Ighodalo of the PDP are the main contenders for the state’s governorship position.In a series of posts on X on Tuesday, Obaseki said the alleged plan to arrest PDP members is a threat to the country’s democracy.

I have it on good authority that the plan is to arrest as many PDP stalwarts as possible. This is a very dangerous trend and poses a real threat to our democracy.

“It is unbecoming of officers of the Nigeria Police Force to connive with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to illegally arrest and detain members of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and to stir up crisis in Edo State in the lead-up to the guber poll,” the governor said.

“I have it on good authority that the plan is to arrest as many PDP stalwarts as possible. This is a very dangerous trend and poses a real threat to our democracy.

“A situation where the sitting local government chairman of Esan West is arrested and whisked away to Abuja, undermining my authority as the Chief Security Officer of the State is totally unacceptable.

“I strongly appeal to the supporters of the PDP to remain calm and peaceful.”

Obaseki said he would formally make his complaint to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police.