The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has vowed that its operatives will be professional and impartial in their conduct during the upcoming Edo state off-cycle governorship election on September 21.

The NPF public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a post on his X handle on Monday, assured that operatives will provide adequate security for all, irrespective of their affiliations.

“We are ready for the gubernatorial election in Edo state. Police will remain professional, impartial, and committed to providing adequate security for the electoral process,” said Mr Adejobi.

“All the parties, their candidates, electorates, and stakeholders in general will be protected,” the police spokesperson assured.

Mr Adejobi stated that if everyone plays their roles in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and in line with the responsibilities of the force, “we will have it free, fair, and credible.”

He warned the state residents against thuggery, hooliganism and vandalism.

The assurance by the police comes days after Governor Godwin Obaseki declared, “This election is do or die; if they do, we will die.”

Political parties in the state and their candidates, excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flag bearer, Asue Ighodalo, signed a peace accord to commit to a free and fair election.

Mr Obaseki had, during a courtesy visit to the government house in Benin by the chairman of the National Peace Committee, former military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Wednesday, said the PDP and Mr Ighodalo “may not sign this agreement.”

The governor alleged that police who are supposed to enforce the accord have been arresting and intimidating PDP members in the state. He added that the police, through their actions, showed that they were serving the interests of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Obaseki said, “In the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed police gangs have entered Edo State to invade, arrest, and take away PDP members. As we speak, 10 PDP members are arrested and detained in Abuja without trial.”

“They arrested a local government chairman. The chairman was heading home when he was attacked and shot at. We reported the incident, and the police asked him to provide evidence. He complied, but instead of investigating, they arrested him. As I speak, he is in Abuja,” the governor lamented.