PDP declines Peace Accord, 17 parties sign on Thursday for the September 21 governorship electi0on in Edo State.
Though, PDP State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were present at the signing of the peace accord, they declined to sign.
Aziegbemi, in a media interaction at the event, explained that they declined because 10 PDP members are currently being detained by the police in Abuja.
Aziegbemi, stated: “we are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the police in Abuja.”
Te Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in the state.
The IG admitted: “However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested.”
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had protested the bais of the police in the govern5roship election in the state, citing the detention of PDP members by the police.
Governor Obaseki, however, assured the Peace Committee of the safety of all stakeholders during and after the election.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, expressed concerned over the continuous detention of PDP members in Abuja.
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Meanwhile, as PDP declines, 17 of the 18 political parties fielding candidates for the September 21 governorship election signed a peace accord on Thursday in Benin City..
The Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, encouraged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for credible election.
Kukah said that the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.
“We should be thankful for our country because some other African countries are in crisis because of unresolved political issues.
” Let us thank God that we have the opportunity in Nigeria to stretch our hands in search for justice.
” I am happy that Nigerians are having confidence in the electoral process. A worst election is remedied by another election,” he said.
Kukah urged Edo people to go out and cast their votes, saying that Edo should count themselves lucky having produced top politicians in Nigeria.
Kukah was, however, silence on the detention of PDP members by the Police.
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The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), said the ceremony was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the nation
Abubakar noted that since the committee formation in 2014, its had worked tirelessly to foster an environment where every Nigerian could exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
He appealed to candidates, parties and their supporters to remember that peace was the foundation upon which progress and development was built and established.
“Without it, none of the promises made to the people of Edo state can be fulfilled.
” I encourage everyone to uphold this commitment beyond the elections and accept the outcome of the election, ” he said.
Like Kukah, Abdusalami was also silence on the PDP complaint of party members being detained by the police.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured that INEC would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.
Yakubu thanked the Peace committee for bringing the political parties and their candidates together to agree to a peaceful election.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noted that the police in collaboration with other security agencies, would be supporting INEC in conducting the election.
According to him, “we will remain impartial, professional and vigilante while providing a level playing ground for political parties and their candidates.”