Open Letter to the Inspector General of Police: Urgent Call to Relocate to Edo State After Governor Obaseki’s ‘Do or Die’ Election Threat
Open Letter to the Inspector General of Police: Urgent Call to Relocate to Edo State After Governor Obaseki’s ‘Do or Die’ Election Threat
Dear Inspector General of Police,
IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, NPM, Ph.D.,
Sir, we write to you today with the utmost respect for your unwavering commitment to safeguarding the security and well-being of all Nigerians. Your esteemed leadership has continually shown that the Nigerian Police Force, under your watch, is one of the most resolute institutions in the fight to protect democracy, maintain law and order, and ensure the safety of citizens.
We find ourselves on the precipice of chaos in Edo State, following a disturbing and reckless declaration made yesterday by the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the PDP mega rally, where he announced to the public that the upcoming gubernatorial election is a “do or die” affair.
Such inflammatory language, from a sitting governor, sends dangerous signals to the people of Edo, stoking fears of violence and intimidation. We cannot forget that this is not the first time Governor Obaseki has made such irresponsible remarks. Only a few months ago, he threatened that “Nigeria would burn,” and now, he’s doubling down on that sentiment by effectively endorsing violence in this election.
Sir, you are no stranger to situations where politicians attempt to use fear and coercion to undermine our democracy, and in such instances, your firm hand has always restored peace. Edo State is in dire need of that same intervention now.
The Governor’s recent actions, including his orchestrated withdrawal from the peace accord signed in Benin City, signal his intention to disregard the democratic process entirely. The people of Edo are living under the shadow of a leader who has clearly declared his intent to sow division and unrest. It is worth noting that before the ban on the Edo State Security Network (ESN),
Governor Obaseki allegedly recruited over 11,000 individuals into this now-prohibited security outfit. While his plans have since been truncated, the potential ripple effects of such recruitment may have led to the kind of inflammatory rhetoric we now see—escalating tensions and raising the specter of violence. This is why, Sir, we respectfully plead with you to personally relocate to Edo State, if only for this critical week.
Your presence, Inspector General, would not only provide the necessary reassurance to the citizens but would also send a powerful message that no individual, no matter their position, is above the law. Your swift action in ensuring peace and order in Edo would be a testament to your dedication to upholding justice and defending democracy. We have absolute faith in your ability to ensure the safety and security of our people, and Edo State is counting on you to avert the looming threat of violence and chaos that Governor Obaseki’s words have incited.
The good people of Edo are defenseless against the might of an aggressive and power-hungry government. They are armless citizens, merely hoping for a free and fair election in which their voices can be heard without fear of intimidation. You, Sir, represent their final hope. We appeal to your good office to deploy additional security personnel to the state, but more importantly, we earnestly request that you temporarily relocate to Edo to personally oversee the security arrangements. Your intervention at this time will undoubtedly calm nerves and restore confidence in the electoral process.
Thank you for considering this urgent appeal.
Sign
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah,
Director of the APC New Media Directorate
