Edo State PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi
By Victory Oghene
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed the reasons behind its refusal to sign the peace accord for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state.
17 out of 18 political parties contesting the gubernatorial election signed the peace accord in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Thursday, September 12.
The Edo PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, and the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who were present during the signing of the peace accord, declined to sign.
Speaking on the development, Aziegbemi told newsmen that they declined to sign because 10 members of the PDP are currently detained by the police in Abuja.
“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,” the PDP chairman said.
It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, while speaking at the stakeholders meeting in Benin on Wednesday, September 11, said he was not aware that PDP members were arrested in Edo State.
“However, I am aware that individuals who committed crimes and political violence in the state have been arrested,” Egbetokun said.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki had, on Wednesday, hinted that the PDP may not participate in the signing of the peace accord over an allegation that the police, responsible for enforcing the accord, were acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obaseki alleged that the police arrested 10 PDP chieftains including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Collins Aigbogun.
The signing of the peace accord is coming barely nine days to the governorship election in the state.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, the Convener of the National Peace Committee, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, charged the candidates to see peace as a foundation for a credible election.
Kukah said the task before the committee was to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election devoid of violence.
Kukah urged the people of Edo State to go out and cast their votes, saying they should count themselves lucky to have produced top politicians in Nigeria.
On his part, the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the event was a commitment to uphold the peace, unity, and democratic values of the country.
Also speaking, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured that the electoral umpire would continue to play its part in line with the electoral laws.
