A Supernumerary Chief Superintendent of Police, Blessing Agbomhere, who was arrested on Wednesday for inciting Edo State residents against the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, while dressed in uniform, has apologised to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for abusing his office.
Agbomhere is also the South-South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement released after his time in custody, Agbomhere pleaded with police authorities for forgiveness, stating that his actions were provoked by what he described as the ‘abuse of power and misgovernance’ by Obaseki and Ighodalo in the state.
His apology comes just eight days before the Edo governorship election, scheduled for September 21.
The spy policeman was featured in a viral video accusing Governor Godwin Obaseki of embezzlement and undermining democracy in the state.
Among other things, Agbomhere accused Obaseki and his political ally of being reckless with Edo’s finances, further suggesting that Ighodalo’s refusal to sign Thursday’s peace accord was a sign of their intentions for the upcoming poll.
He said, “I write to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Police and the Inspector General of Police over my inappropriate conduct in addressing the press on the forthcoming September 21 Edo Governorship election while dressed in the police uniform, which allegedly embarrassed the high command of the Force.
“Whilst the alleged embarrassment is unintended and deeply regretted, I maintain that the views expressed in the media interview were not those of the Nigeria Police, but my personal opinion, justified within the context of my constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech and association.
“As a lawyer, journalist, pro-democracy campaigner and human rights crusader, committed to the ideals of deepening democratic values, social justice, and good governance, I am pained by the increasing assault on the sanctity of our democracy and human rights by the Obaseki-led government, particularly the recent cold-blooded murder of Inspector Anu Akoh, a police officer attached to the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, by armed thugs, and the brutal attack on harmless members of the party in Ekpoma.”
Agbomhere added that, in the heat of the moment, he forgot he was still dressed in the police uniform of a spy policeman during the interview.
