Edo Gubernatorial Election: Police Arrest Six with Fake PDP Documents, Forged Signature
In Benin City, Nigeria, police have detained six individuals at a hotel in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) for possession of counterfeit Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) letterheads, forged signatures, and other falsified materials. The group was discovered with a range of equipment including printers, laptops, mobile phones, power banks, and a photocopy machine, all of which were allegedly used to produce and distribute fake PDP communications.
The arrested individuals are suspected of crafting and disseminating fraudulent documents to falsely portray the PDP as responsible for inciting unrest ahead of the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. The scheme aimed to undermine the party’s reputation and influence public perception by distributing these doctored statements to journalists.
According to an anonymous police officer involved in the raid, the suspects had been operating out of the hotel for several weeks, using the counterfeit materials to create documents that seemed authentic. The officer detailed the sophisticated nature of the operation, including the use of advanced printing technology and a variety of electronic devices to produce and spread the forged documents.
The investigation has revealed that these individuals were allegedly financed by a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC). This link has led to significant pressure from senior APC members on the Edo State Police Command to release the detained suspects, with concerns about the potential implications of the arrest.
A journalist from a leading national newspaper, who had received some of the fake statements, expressed concern over the integrity of the election process, noting the extent to which some factions are willing to go to manipulate public opinion.
The Edo State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident, but investigations are ongoing, and the suspects remain in custody.
