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Edo Election: PDP Refuses to Sign as 16 Other Parties Commit to Peace Pact
Seventeen out of the 18 political parties participating in the Edo governorship election on September 21 have signed a peace accord in preparation for the election.
However, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), represented by its Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, refused to sign the agreement.
Aziegbemi explained to the media that their refusal was due to the ongoing detention of 10 PDP members by the police in Abuja.
He stated, “We are here to register our protest before the peace committee and to say that the PDP will not sign a peace accord when 10 of our members have been arrested and detained by the Police in Abuja.”
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Earlier, during a stakeholders’ meeting, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, mentioned that he was unaware of the arrests of PDP members but confirmed that individuals involved in political violence had been detained.
The peace accord signing comes just nine days before the election. Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Convener of the National Peace Committee, urged all candidates to consider peace as essential for a credible election.
He emphasized the importance of supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a violence-free election.
Kukah reminded attendees of the challenges faced by other African countries due to unresolved political issues and encouraged Nigerians to seek justice through peaceful means. He also encouraged the people of Edo State to vote, noting the state’s significant role in producing prominent Nigerian politicians.
The National Peace Committee’s Chairman, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), highlighted the committee’s commitment to promoting peace and unity since its inception in 2014.
He urged all candidates, parties, and supporters to recognize that peace is fundamental to achieving progress and development, stressing the importance of accepting the election results.
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reassured the public that the commission would continue to operate in line with electoral laws. He expressed gratitude to the Peace Committee for facilitating the accord between political parties.
Inspector-General Egbetokun also pledged that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, would remain impartial and vigilant while providing a level playing field for all candidates.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, expressed concerns over the continued detention of PDP members but assured the Peace Committee of the safety of all stakeholders during and after the election.
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